diff --git a/engine/src/core/com/jme3/animation/Animation.java b/engine/src/core/com/jme3/animation/Animation.java
index a0999f260..a910d1362 100644
--- a/engine/src/core/com/jme3/animation/Animation.java
+++ b/engine/src/core/com/jme3/animation/Animation.java
@@ -168,7 +168,13 @@ public class Animation implements Savable, Cloneable {
         length = in.readFloat("length", 0f);
         
         Savable[] arr = in.readSavableArray("tracks", null);
-        tracks = new Track[arr.length];
-        System.arraycopy(arr, 0, tracks, 0, arr.length);
+        if (arr != null) {
+            // NOTE: Backward compat only .. Some animations have no
+            // tracks set at all even though it makes no sense.
+            // Since there's a null check in setTime(),
+            // its only appropriate that the check is made here as well.
+            tracks = new Track[arr.length];
+            System.arraycopy(arr, 0, tracks, 0, arr.length);
+        }
     }
 }