diff --git a/filter/source/msfilter/svdfppt.cxx b/filter/source/msfilter/svdfppt.cxx
index b7e76ca57d6d..38c27e407a72 100644
--- a/filter/source/msfilter/svdfppt.cxx
+++ b/filter/source/msfilter/svdfppt.cxx
@@ -7597,13 +7597,14 @@ SdrObject* SdrPowerPointImport::CreateTable( SdrObject* pGroup, sal_uInt32* pTab
             aColumns.insert( aSnapRect.Left() );
         }
     }
-    sdr::table::SdrTableObj* pTable = new sdr::table::SdrTableObj( pSdrModel );
-    pTable->uno_lock();
-    Reference< XTable > xTable( pTable->getTable() );
 
     if (aRows.empty())
         return pRet;
 
+    sdr::table::SdrTableObj* pTable = new sdr::table::SdrTableObj( pSdrModel );
+    pTable->uno_lock();
+    Reference< XTable > xTable( pTable->getTable() );
+
     try
     {
         CreateTableRows( xTable->getRows(), aRows, pGroup->GetSnapRect().Bottom() );