diff --git a/test/framework/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/test/AbstractQueryTestCase.java b/test/framework/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/test/AbstractQueryTestCase.java
index 9cb8af9f74b..0b152fcf341 100644
--- a/test/framework/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/test/AbstractQueryTestCase.java
+++ b/test/framework/src/main/java/org/elasticsearch/test/AbstractQueryTestCase.java
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractQueryTestCase<QB extends AbstractQueryBuilder<QB>>
     }
 
     protected static String[] getCurrentTypes() {
-        return currentTypes;
+        return currentTypes == null ? Strings.EMPTY_ARRAY : currentTypes;
     }
 
     protected Collection<Class<? extends Plugin>> getPlugins() {