diff --git a/Itemutils/src/main/java/eu/mikroskeem/utils/itemutils/Shield.java b/Itemutils/src/main/java/eu/mikroskeem/utils/itemutils/Shield.java
index 420266b..7688ca5 100644
--- a/Itemutils/src/main/java/eu/mikroskeem/utils/itemutils/Shield.java
+++ b/Itemutils/src/main/java/eu/mikroskeem/utils/itemutils/Shield.java
@@ -25,6 +25,10 @@ public class Shield {
         ItemMeta shieldMeta = shieldStack.getItemMeta();
         BlockStateMeta shieldbMeta = (BlockStateMeta)shieldMeta;
 
+        // Create empty pattern list if null is supplied
+        if(patternList == null)
+            patternList = new ArrayList<>();
+
         Banner banner = (Banner)shieldbMeta.getBlockState();
         banner.setPatterns(patternList);
         banner.update(); // TODO: find out if it is needed