diff --git a/parse_xml.cpp b/parse_xml.cpp
index a8be3bb..3070771 100644
--- a/parse_xml.cpp
+++ b/parse_xml.cpp
@@ -84,11 +84,11 @@
 }
 
 inline std::string nameOf(NodeType *root) {
-    return root->Name();
+    return root->Name() == NULL ? "" : root->Name();
 }
 
 inline std::string getText(NodeType *root) {
-    return root->GetText();
+    return root->GetText() == NULL ? "" : root->GetText();
 }
 
 inline NodeType *getChild(NodeType *parent, const std::string &name) {