diff --git a/falcon-regression/merlin-core/src/main/java/org/apache/falcon/regression/core/util/OozieUtil.java b/falcon-regression/merlin-core/src/main/java/org/apache/falcon/regression/core/util/OozieUtil.java
index 4c609b3f3..1bbcf362c 100644
--- a/falcon-regression/merlin-core/src/main/java/org/apache/falcon/regression/core/util/OozieUtil.java
+++ b/falcon-regression/merlin-core/src/main/java/org/apache/falcon/regression/core/util/OozieUtil.java
@@ -713,7 +713,7 @@ public static String getActionStatus(OozieClient oozieClient, String workflowId,
         throws OozieClientException {
         List<WorkflowAction> wfAction = oozieClient.getJobInfo(workflowId).getActions();
         for (WorkflowAction wf : wfAction) {
-            if (wf.getName().contains(actionName)) {
+            if ((wf.getName().contains(actionName)) && (wf.getExternalStatus() != null)) {
                 return wf.getExternalStatus();
             }
         }