diff --git a/src/main/java/org/dita/dost/writer/KeyrefPaser.java b/src/main/java/org/dita/dost/writer/KeyrefPaser.java
index d70acdf388..8decaca8a4 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/dita/dost/writer/KeyrefPaser.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/dita/dost/writer/KeyrefPaser.java
@@ -211,6 +211,9 @@ public void setKeyDefinition(final KeyScope definitionMap) {
    * Get set of link targets which have normal processing role. Paths are relative to current file.
    */
   public Set<URI> getNormalProcessingRoleTargets() {
+    if (normalProcessingRoleTargets == null) {
+      return Set.of();
+    }
     return Collections.unmodifiableSet(normalProcessingRoleTargets);
   }