diff --git a/core/src/main/java/com/opensymphony/xwork2/config/providers/XmlConfigurationProvider.java b/core/src/main/java/com/opensymphony/xwork2/config/providers/XmlConfigurationProvider.java
index e02338f9a..8d9699aae 100644
--- a/core/src/main/java/com/opensymphony/xwork2/config/providers/XmlConfigurationProvider.java
+++ b/core/src/main/java/com/opensymphony/xwork2/config/providers/XmlConfigurationProvider.java
@@ -1076,8 +1076,12 @@ public abstract class XmlConfigurationProvider implements ConfigurationProvider
                     InputSource in = new InputSource(is);
 
                     in.setSystemId(url.toString());
-
-                    docs.add(DomHelper.parse(in, dtdMappings));
+                    
+                    Document helperDoc = DomHelper.parse(in, dtdMappings);
+                    if (helperDoc != null) {
+                        docs.add(helperDoc);
+                    }
+                    
                     loadedFileUrls.add(url.toString());
                 } catch (StrutsException e) {
                     if (includeElement != null) {