diff --git a/org.hl7.fhir.utilities/src/main/java/org/hl7/fhir/utilities/ToolGlobalSettings.java b/org.hl7.fhir.utilities/src/main/java/org/hl7/fhir/utilities/ToolGlobalSettings.java
index e72bd09e6..bdf677591 100644
--- a/org.hl7.fhir.utilities/src/main/java/org/hl7/fhir/utilities/ToolGlobalSettings.java
+++ b/org.hl7.fhir.utilities/src/main/java/org/hl7/fhir/utilities/ToolGlobalSettings.java
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ public class ToolGlobalSettings {
 
   public static boolean isNoNetwork() {
     init();
-    return noNetwork;
+    return noNetwork == null ? false : noNetwork;
   }
 
   public static void setNoNetwork(boolean value) {