diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 2c822ea..6ef9287 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -2,6 +2,13 @@
 
 ## [2.1.0] - Unreleased
 
+### Fixes
+
+- fix an exception when checking for Snyk Code enablement in the preference page
+
+
+## [2.1.0] - v20240115.153911
+
 ### Changes
 
 - add preference for scan mode selection (automatic/manual)
diff --git a/plugin/src/main/java/io/snyk/eclipse/plugin/properties/PreferencesPage.java b/plugin/src/main/java/io/snyk/eclipse/plugin/properties/PreferencesPage.java
index 3045177..a277e03 100644
--- a/plugin/src/main/java/io/snyk/eclipse/plugin/properties/PreferencesPage.java
+++ b/plugin/src/main/java/io/snyk/eclipse/plugin/properties/PreferencesPage.java
@@ -120,10 +120,18 @@ public void run() {
                     isSastEnabled = SnykExtendedLanguageClient.getInstance().getSastEnabled();
                 } catch (Exception e) {
                     SnykLogger.logError(e);
+                    return;
                 }
                 String message = "Snyk Code disabled, because it is not enabled for your organization. After you close this preference page, it will stay disabled.";
                 boolean showMessage = false;
-                if (snykCodeSecurityCheckbox != null && snykCodeSecurityCheckbox.getBooleanValue() && !isSastEnabled) {
+                boolean checkBoxValue;
+                try {
+                  checkBoxValue = snykCodeSecurityCheckbox != null && snykCodeSecurityCheckbox.getBooleanValue();
+                } catch (NullPointerException e) {
+                  // this can happen, if the UI checkbox is not initialized fully, we return then
+                  return;
+                }
+                if (checkBoxValue && !isSastEnabled) {
                     snykCodeSecurityCheckbox.setLabelText(snykCodeSecurityCheckbox.getLabelText() + " (" + message + ")");
                     showMessage = true;
                 }