diff --git a/src/main/java/ch/ethz/seb/sebserver/webservice/servicelayer/lms/impl/moodle/MoodleCourseDataAsyncLoader.java b/src/main/java/ch/ethz/seb/sebserver/webservice/servicelayer/lms/impl/moodle/MoodleCourseDataAsyncLoader.java
index c264befc..bd071351 100644
--- a/src/main/java/ch/ethz/seb/sebserver/webservice/servicelayer/lms/impl/moodle/MoodleCourseDataAsyncLoader.java
+++ b/src/main/java/ch/ethz/seb/sebserver/webservice/servicelayer/lms/impl/moodle/MoodleCourseDataAsyncLoader.java
@@ -366,7 +366,7 @@ public class MoodleCourseDataAsyncLoader {
     private Predicate<CourseDataShort> getCourseFilter() {
         final long now = Utils.getSecondsNow();
         return course -> {
-            if (course.start_date < this.fromCutTime) {
+            if (course.start_date != null && course.start_date < this.fromCutTime) {
                 return false;
             }