diff --git a/maven-core/src/main/java/org/apache/maven/plugin/DefaultPluginManager.java b/maven-core/src/main/java/org/apache/maven/plugin/DefaultPluginManager.java
index 1a39c15939..c572e764a0 100644
--- a/maven-core/src/main/java/org/apache/maven/plugin/DefaultPluginManager.java
+++ b/maven-core/src/main/java/org/apache/maven/plugin/DefaultPluginManager.java
@@ -265,6 +265,10 @@ public class DefaultPluginManager
         PluginExecutionResponse response;
 
         MojoDescriptor mojoDescriptor = getMojoDescriptor( goalName );
+        if ( mojoDescriptor == null )
+        {
+            throw new GoalExecutionException( "Unable to find goal: " + goalName );            
+        }
 
         if ( mojoDescriptor.requiresDependencyResolution() )
         {