diff --git a/src/plugins/projectexplorer/projectwindow.cpp b/src/plugins/projectexplorer/projectwindow.cpp
index 6dea76edd83..5efa9686ff3 100644
--- a/src/plugins/projectexplorer/projectwindow.cpp
+++ b/src/plugins/projectexplorer/projectwindow.cpp
@@ -347,7 +347,7 @@ public:
 
     QVariant data(int column, int role) const final
     {
-        return m_projectItem->data(column, role);
+        return m_projectItem ? m_projectItem->data(column, role) : QVariant();
     }
 
     ProjectItem *m_projectItem;
@@ -413,6 +413,7 @@ public:
         if (item->m_projectItem->parent())
             m_projectsModel.takeItem(item->m_projectItem);
         delete item->m_projectItem;
+        item->m_projectItem = nullptr;
         m_comboBoxModel.destroyItem(item);
     }