diff --git a/bitbake/lib/bb/ui/crumbs/hoblistmodel.py b/bitbake/lib/bb/ui/crumbs/hoblistmodel.py
index 547c1cade9..f6b3f09b95 100644
--- a/bitbake/lib/bb/ui/crumbs/hoblistmodel.py
+++ b/bitbake/lib/bb/ui/crumbs/hoblistmodel.py
@@ -181,7 +181,9 @@ class PackageListModel(gtk.ListStore):
     def sort_func(self, model, iter1, iter2, user_data):
         val1 = model.get_value(iter1, PackageListModel.COL_NAME)
         val2 = model.get_value(iter2, PackageListModel.COL_NAME)
-        if val1.startswith(user_data) and not val2.startswith(user_data):
+        if val1 is None or val2 is None:
+            return 0
+        elif val1.startswith(user_data) and not val2.startswith(user_data):
             return -1
         elif not val1.startswith(user_data) and val2.startswith(user_data):
             return 1
@@ -562,7 +564,9 @@ class RecipeListModel(gtk.ListStore):
     def sort_func(self, model, iter1, iter2, user_data):
         val1 = model.get_value(iter1, RecipeListModel.COL_NAME)
         val2 = model.get_value(iter2, RecipeListModel.COL_NAME)
-        if val1.startswith(user_data) and not val2.startswith(user_data):
+        if val1 is None or val2 is None:
+            return 0
+        elif val1.startswith(user_data) and not val2.startswith(user_data):
             return -1
         elif not val1.startswith(user_data) and val2.startswith(user_data):
             return 1