[Unhandled Exception]: ArgumentNullException - Parameter "projectFile" cannot be null

[Kevinf63]

Issue Description

Updating to a NuGet package that does not support .NET Standard 2.0 (correction: see arturcic:feature/msbuild-task #4750), for example GitVersion.MsBuild 6.*, causes an unhandled exception error in MsBuild, instead of gracefully failing with steps to fix the problem , i.e. the .NET version (standard 2.0) of your project you are using does not support this NuGet package's SDK (.NET SDK 8+).

Steps to Reproduce

• Create a .NET Standard 2.0 project to be used as a NuGet package.
• Install GitVersion.MsBuild v5.12.0 NuGet package.
• Add gitversion.yml to root of project with first yaml example.
• Build successfully.
• Update to GitVersion.MsBuild v6.6.2 NuGet package.
• Update gitversion.yml in root of project with second yaml example.
• Observe output upon build.

GitVersion v5.12.0 yaml:

mode: Mainline
continuous-delivery-fallback-tag: preview
major-version-bump-message: "^(Merged PR \\d+: )?(build|chore|ci|docs|feat|fix|perf|refactor|revert|style|test)(\\([\\w\\s-]*\\))?(!:|:.*\\n\\n((.+\\n)+\\n)?BREAKING CHANGE:\\s.+)"
minor-version-bump-message: "^(Merged PR \\d+: )?(feat)(\\([\\w\\s-]*\\))?:"
patch-version-bump-message: "^(Merged PR \\d+: )?(build|chore|ci|docs|fix|perf|refactor|revert|style|test)(\\([\\w\\s-]*\\))?:"
no-bump-message: "^(Merged PR \\d+: )?(none|skip)(\\([\\w\\s-]*\\))?:"
commit-message-incrementing: Enabled
branches: {}
ignore:
  sha: []
merge-message-formats:
  default: "^Merged (?:PR (?<PullRequestNumber>\\d+)):"

GitVersion v6.6.2 yaml:

workflow: TrunkBased/preview1
major-version-bump-message: "^(Merged PR \\d+: )?(build|chore|ci|docs|feat|fix|perf|refactor|revert|style|test)(\\([\\w\\s-]*\\))?(!:|:.*\\n\\n((.+\\n)+\\n)?BREAKING CHANGE:\\s.+)"
minor-version-bump-message: "^(Merged PR \\d+: )?(feat)(\\([\\w\\s-]*\\))?:"
patch-version-bump-message: "^(Merged PR \\d+: )?(build|chore|ci|docs|fix|perf|refactor|revert|style|test)(\\([\\w\\s-]*\\))?:"
no-bump-message: "^(Merged PR \\d+: )?(none|skip)(\\([\\w\\s-]*\\))?:"
commit-message-incrementing: Enabled
merge-message-formats:
  default: "^Merged (?:PR (?<PullRequestNumber>\\d+)):"

Actual Behavior

Rebuild started at 11:47...
1>------ Rebuild All started: Project: CM.Helpers.ScheduledService.Scoped, Configuration: Debug Any CPU ------
2>------ Rebuild All started: Project: CM.Helpers.ScheduledService.Abstractions, Configuration: Debug Any CPU ------
Restored C:\Users\kefinnegan\source\repos\CM.Helpers.TimedHostedService\CM.helpers.ScheduledService.Abstractions\CM.Helpers.ScheduledService.Abstractions.csproj (in 34 ms).
Restored C:\Users\kefinnegan\source\repos\CM.Helpers.TimedHostedService\CM.Helpers.ScheduledService.Scoped\CM.Helpers.ScheduledService.Scoped.csproj (in 34 ms).
1>MSBUILD : error : This is an unhandled exception in MSBuild -- PLEASE UPVOTE AN EXISTING ISSUE OR FILE A NEW ONE AT https://aka.ms/msbuild/unhandled
1>MSBUILD : error :     System.ArgumentNullException: Parameter "projectFile" cannot be null.
1>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.Shared.ErrorUtilities.ThrowArgumentNull(String parameterName, String resourceName)
1>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.Exceptions.InvalidProjectFileException..ctor(String projectFile, Int32 lineNumber, Int32 columnNumber, Int32 endLineNumber, Int32 endColumnNumber, String message, String errorSubcategory, String errorCode, String helpKeyword, Exception innerException)
1>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.Exceptions.InvalidProjectFileException..ctor(String message, InvalidProjectFileException innerException)
1>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.TaskBuilder.<ExecuteInstantiatedTask>d__26.MoveNext()
1>MSBUILD : error : --- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
1>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
1>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)
1>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.TaskBuilder.<InitializeAndExecuteTask>d__24.MoveNext()
1>MSBUILD : error : --- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
1>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
1>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)
1>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.TaskBuilder.<ExecuteBucket>d__19.MoveNext()
1>MSBUILD : error : --- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
1>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
1>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.TaskBuilder.<ExecuteTask>d__18.MoveNext()
1>MSBUILD : error : --- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
1>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
1>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)
1>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.TaskBuilder.<ExecuteTask>d__13.MoveNext()
1>MSBUILD : error : --- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
1>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
1>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.TargetEntry.<ProcessBucket>d__50.MoveNext()
1>MSBUILD : error : --- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
1>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
1>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.TargetEntry.<ExecuteTarget>d__43.MoveNext()
1>MSBUILD : error : --- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
1>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
1>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.TargetBuilder.<ProcessTargetStack>d__24.MoveNext()
1>MSBUILD : error : --- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
1>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
1>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)
1>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.TargetBuilder.<BuildTargets>d__11.MoveNext()
1>MSBUILD : error : --- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
1>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
1>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)
1>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.RequestBuilder.<BuildProject>d__67.MoveNext()
1>MSBUILD : error : --- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
1>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
1>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)
1>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.RequestBuilder.<RequestThreadProc>d__58.MoveNext()
2>MSBUILD : error : This is an unhandled exception in MSBuild -- PLEASE UPVOTE AN EXISTING ISSUE OR FILE A NEW ONE AT https://aka.ms/msbuild/unhandled
2>MSBUILD : error :     System.ArgumentNullException: Parameter "projectFile" cannot be null.
2>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.Shared.ErrorUtilities.ThrowArgumentNull(String parameterName, String resourceName)
2>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.Exceptions.InvalidProjectFileException..ctor(String projectFile, Int32 lineNumber, Int32 columnNumber, Int32 endLineNumber, Int32 endColumnNumber, String message, String errorSubcategory, String errorCode, String helpKeyword, Exception innerException)
2>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.Exceptions.InvalidProjectFileException..ctor(String message, InvalidProjectFileException innerException)
2>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.TaskBuilder.<ExecuteInstantiatedTask>d__26.MoveNext()
2>MSBUILD : error : --- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
2>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
2>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)
2>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.TaskBuilder.<InitializeAndExecuteTask>d__24.MoveNext()
2>MSBUILD : error : --- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
2>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
2>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)
2>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.TaskBuilder.<ExecuteBucket>d__19.MoveNext()
2>MSBUILD : error : --- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
2>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
2>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.TaskBuilder.<ExecuteTask>d__18.MoveNext()
2>MSBUILD : error : --- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
2>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
2>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)
2>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.TaskBuilder.<ExecuteTask>d__13.MoveNext()
2>MSBUILD : error : --- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
2>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
2>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.TargetEntry.<ProcessBucket>d__50.MoveNext()
2>MSBUILD : error : --- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
2>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
2>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.TargetEntry.<ExecuteTarget>d__43.MoveNext()
2>MSBUILD : error : --- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
2>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
2>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.TargetBuilder.<ProcessTargetStack>d__24.MoveNext()
2>MSBUILD : error : --- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
2>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
2>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)
2>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.TargetBuilder.<BuildTargets>d__11.MoveNext()
2>MSBUILD : error : --- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
2>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
2>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)
2>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.RequestBuilder.<BuildProject>d__67.MoveNext()
2>MSBUILD : error : --- End of stack trace from previous location where exception was thrown ---
2>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.ExceptionServices.ExceptionDispatchInfo.Throw()
2>MSBUILD : error :    at System.Runtime.CompilerServices.TaskAwaiter.HandleNonSuccessAndDebuggerNotification(Task task)
2>MSBUILD : error :    at Microsoft.Build.BackEnd.RequestBuilder.<RequestThreadProc>d__58.MoveNext()
========== Rebuild All: 0 succeeded, 2 failed, 0 skipped ==========
========== Rebuild completed at 11:47 and took 00.928 seconds ==========

Analysis

No response

Versions & Configurations

MSBuild version 18.4.0+6e61e96ac for .NET Framework
Version: 18.4.0.7901

Visual Studio 2026 Enterprise March 2026 Feature Update (Stable)
Version: 18.4.1
Instance: 04ecd097

This just started happening for me as well.

[MichalPavlik]

Triage: This should be already fixed on main via PR #13179, which added a null-coalescing fallback.

[MichalPavlik]

Could you please try 18.5 insiders version to check if you can repro the issue?

[prozolic]

I also encountered the same msbuild error after updating dotnet/runtime to the latest commit.
Once I updated Visual Studio to the Insider version, I can build and debug successfully in Visual Studio.

[AR-May]

@Kevinf63 is your issue fixed in 18.5 insiders version?

[YuliiaKovalova]

@cincuranet has the same problem and he claims it still repros in vs18.5

[cincuranet]

@YuliiaKovalova I'm on VisualStudio.18.Release/18.4.1+11612.150, so not 18.5.

Anyway, here are some binlogs from the crash when building dotnet/runtime in case somebody wants to double check.