diff --git a/core/java/android/nfc/tech/NdefFormatable.java b/core/java/android/nfc/tech/NdefFormatable.java
index f19d302583932..2240fe7f7d3b2 100644
--- a/core/java/android/nfc/tech/NdefFormatable.java
+++ b/core/java/android/nfc/tech/NdefFormatable.java
@@ -124,6 +124,9 @@ public final class NdefFormatable extends BasicTagTechnology {
         try {
             int serviceHandle = mTag.getServiceHandle();
             INfcTag tagService = mTag.getTagService();
+            if (tagService == null) {
+                throw new IOException();
+            }
             int errorCode = tagService.formatNdef(serviceHandle, MifareClassic.KEY_DEFAULT);
             switch (errorCode) {
                 case ErrorCodes.SUCCESS: