what is "MB"? Managed Bean? If a context variable is null, JSF usually ignores it. View the original post : http://www.jboss.com/index.html?module=bb&op=viewtopic&p=3962699#3962699 Reply to the post : http://www.jboss.com/index.html?module=bb&op=posting&mode=reply&p=3962699