public void loadListFields() { try { long listId = program.getListEditingId(); // to improve performance // no! it's necessary else there will be nullpointerexception :p if (listId <= 0) { return; } List<SubscriptionListField> fieldList = subService.getFieldsForSubscriptionList(listId); this.program.setFieldList(fieldList); } catch (EJBException ex) { FacesMessenger.setFacesMessage( program.getFormName(), FacesMessage.SEVERITY_ERROR, ex.getMessage(), null); } }