diff --git a/src/main/java/com/googlesource/gerrit/plugins/gitiles/FilteredRepository.java b/src/main/java/com/googlesource/gerrit/plugins/gitiles/FilteredRepository.java
index 59c537a..218703e 100644
--- a/src/main/java/com/googlesource/gerrit/plugins/gitiles/FilteredRepository.java
+++ b/src/main/java/com/googlesource/gerrit/plugins/gitiles/FilteredRepository.java
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@
     FilteredRepository create(Project.NameKey name)
         throws NoSuchProjectException, IOException, PermissionBackendException {
       Optional<ProjectState> projectState = projectCache.get(name);
-      if (!projectState.get().statePermitsRead()) {
+      if (!projectState.isPresent() || !projectState.get().statePermitsRead()) {
         throw new NoSuchProjectException(name);
       }
       return new FilteredRepository(