diff --git a/src/main/java/org/jabref/gui/BasePanel.java b/src/main/java/org/jabref/gui/BasePanel.java
index 65bfb60f56a..835ee0fa07a 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/jabref/gui/BasePanel.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/jabref/gui/BasePanel.java
@@ -504,7 +504,9 @@ public void clearAndSelect(final BibEntry bibEntry) {
      */
     private void clearAndSelectFirst() {
         mainTable.clearAndSelectFirst();
-        showAndEdit(mainTable.getSelectedEntries().get(0));
+        if (!mainTable.getSelectedEntries().isEmpty()) {
+            showAndEdit(mainTable.getSelectedEntries().get(0));
+        }
     }
 
     public void selectPreviousEntry() {