diff --git a/examples/corelib/serialization/streambookmarks/xbelreader.cpp b/examples/corelib/serialization/streambookmarks/xbelreader.cpp
index ccfa697e136..6e96cb9a059 100644
--- a/examples/corelib/serialization/streambookmarks/xbelreader.cpp
+++ b/examples/corelib/serialization/streambookmarks/xbelreader.cpp
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ void XbelReader::readSeparator(QTreeWidgetItem *item)
     Q_ASSERT(xml.isStartElement() && xml.name() == QLatin1String("separator"));
 
     QTreeWidgetItem *separator = createChildItem(item);
-    separator->setFlags(item->flags() & ~Qt::ItemIsSelectable);
+    separator->setFlags(item ? item->flags() & ~Qt::ItemIsSelectable : Qt::ItemFlags{});
     separator->setText(0, QString(30, u'\xB7'));
     xml.skipCurrentElement();
 }