diff --git a/python/src/deltachat/cutil.py b/python/src/deltachat/cutil.py
index 2b9aa7a0f..b230276b9 100644
--- a/python/src/deltachat/cutil.py
+++ b/python/src/deltachat/cutil.py
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@ def iter_array(dc_array_t, constructor):
 
 
 def from_dc_charpointer(obj):
-    return ffi.string(ffi.gc(obj, lib.dc_str_unref)).decode("utf8")
+    if obj != ffi.NULL:
+        return ffi.string(ffi.gc(obj, lib.dc_str_unref)).decode("utf8")
 
 
 class DCLot: