diff --git a/lib/python/Components/Renderer/Picon.py b/lib/python/Components/Renderer/Picon.py
index bd7036f4833..1f2265c5ad8 100644
--- a/lib/python/Components/Renderer/Picon.py
+++ b/lib/python/Components/Renderer/Picon.py
@@ -73,6 +73,8 @@ def addSearchPath(self, value):
 				self.searchPaths.append(value)
 
 	def getPiconName(self, serviceRef):
+		if serviceRef is None:
+			return ""
 		# remove the path and name fields, and replace ":" by "_"
 		fields = GetWithAlternative(serviceRef).split(":", 10)[:10]
 		if not fields or len(fields) < 10: