diff --git a/independent-projects/arc/runtime/src/main/java/io/quarkus/arc/impl/TargetAroundInvokeInvocationContext.java b/independent-projects/arc/runtime/src/main/java/io/quarkus/arc/impl/TargetAroundInvokeInvocationContext.java
index 7647744e50a253..67e8b80092ac37 100644
--- a/independent-projects/arc/runtime/src/main/java/io/quarkus/arc/impl/TargetAroundInvokeInvocationContext.java
+++ b/independent-projects/arc/runtime/src/main/java/io/quarkus/arc/impl/TargetAroundInvokeInvocationContext.java
@@ -45,6 +45,11 @@ protected Object proceed(int currentPosition) throws Exception {
             }
         } catch (Exception e) {
             Throwable cause = e.getCause();
+
+            // e.getCause() may return null
+            if (cause == null) {
+                cause = e;
+            }
             if (cause instanceof Error) {
                 throw (Error) cause;
             }