diff --git a/gxmail/src/main/java/com/genexus/internet/POP3SessionJavaMail.java b/gxmail/src/main/java/com/genexus/internet/POP3SessionJavaMail.java
index a50d5475b..cd8d23c5d 100644
--- a/gxmail/src/main/java/com/genexus/internet/POP3SessionJavaMail.java
+++ b/gxmail/src/main/java/com/genexus/internet/POP3SessionJavaMail.java
@@ -328,9 +328,10 @@ public String getNextUID() throws GXMailException {
 
 	public int getMessageCount() throws GXMailException {
 		try {
+			if (emailFolder == null || !emailFolder.isOpen())
+				throw new GXMailException("The email folder is either null or closed", MAIL_ServerRepliedErr);
 			if (readSinceLast)
 				return emailFolder.getNewMessageCount();
-
 			return emailFolder.getMessageCount();
 		} catch (MessagingException e) {
 			log(e.getMessage());