diff --git a/src/iTextSharp.LGPLv2.Core/iTextSharp.LGPLv2.Core.csproj b/src/iTextSharp.LGPLv2.Core/iTextSharp.LGPLv2.Core.csproj
index 6dde2f2..9aaf7db 100644
--- a/src/iTextSharp.LGPLv2.Core/iTextSharp.LGPLv2.Core.csproj
+++ b/src/iTextSharp.LGPLv2.Core/iTextSharp.LGPLv2.Core.csproj
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 <Project Sdk="Microsoft.NET.Sdk">
   <PropertyGroup>
     <Description> iTextSharp.LGPLv2.Core is an unofficial port of the last LGPL version of the iTextSharp (V4.1.6) to .NET Core.</Description>
-    <VersionPrefix>1.4.3</VersionPrefix>
+    <VersionPrefix>1.4.4</VersionPrefix>
     <LangVersion>latest</LangVersion>
     <Authors>Vahid Nasiri</Authors>
     <TargetFrameworks>net40;netstandard1.3;netstandard2.0</TargetFrameworks>
diff --git a/src/iTextSharp.LGPLv2.Core/iTextSharp/text/pdf/PdfPTable.cs b/src/iTextSharp.LGPLv2.Core/iTextSharp/text/pdf/PdfPTable.cs
index 9878f3d..003a2a8 100644
--- a/src/iTextSharp.LGPLv2.Core/iTextSharp/text/pdf/PdfPTable.cs
+++ b/src/iTextSharp.LGPLv2.Core/iTextSharp/text/pdf/PdfPTable.cs
@@ -1353,6 +1353,7 @@ internal bool RowSpanAbove(int currRow, int currCol)
             while ((aboveCell == null) && (row > 0))
             {
                 aboveRow = (PdfPRow)rows[--row];
+                if (aboveRow == null) return false;
                 aboveCell = aboveRow.GetCells()[currCol];
             }