--- a/jdk/src/java.desktop/macosx/classes/com/apple/laf/AquaTableHeaderUI.java	Wed Feb 24 08:58:31 2016 -0800
+++ b/jdk/src/java.desktop/macosx/classes/com/apple/laf/AquaTableHeaderUI.java	Thu Feb 25 10:22:22 2016 +0530
@@ -128,14 +128,17 @@
             // Modify the table "border" to draw smaller, and with the titles in the right position
             // and sort indicators, just like an NSSave/Open panel.
             final AquaTableHeaderBorder cellBorder = AquaTableHeaderBorder.getListHeaderBorder();
-            final boolean thisColumnSelected = localTable.getColumnModel().getColumn(column).getModelIndex() == sortColumn;
+            cellBorder.setSortOrder(AquaTableHeaderBorder.SORT_NONE);
+
+            if (localTable != null) {
+                final boolean thisColumnSelected = localTable.getColumnModel().getColumn(column).getModelIndex() == sortColumn;
 
-            cellBorder.setSelected(thisColumnSelected);
-            if (thisColumnSelected) {
-                cellBorder.setSortOrder(sortOrder);
-            } else {
-                cellBorder.setSortOrder(AquaTableHeaderBorder.SORT_NONE);
+                cellBorder.setSelected(thisColumnSelected);
+                if (thisColumnSelected) {
+                    cellBorder.setSortOrder(sortOrder);
+               }
             }
+
             setBorder(cellBorder);
             return this;
         }

--- a/jdk/src/java.desktop/share/classes/javax/swing/plaf/synth/SynthTableHeaderUI.java	Wed Feb 24 08:58:31 2016 -0800
+++ b/jdk/src/java.desktop/share/classes/javax/swing/plaf/synth/SynthTableHeaderUI.java	Thu Feb 25 10:22:22 2016 +0530
@@ -230,9 +230,10 @@
 
             boolean hasRollover = (column == getRolloverColumn());
             if (isSelected || hasRollover || hasFocus) {
+                boolean enabled = (table == null)? true : table.isEnabled();
                 SynthLookAndFeel.setSelectedUI((SynthLabelUI)SynthLookAndFeel.
                              getUIOfType(getUI(), SynthLabelUI.class),
-                             isSelected, hasFocus, table.isEnabled(),
+                             isSelected, hasFocus, enabled,
                              hasRollover);
             } else {
                 SynthLookAndFeel.resetSelectedUI();

--- /dev/null	Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
+++ b/jdk/test/javax/swing/JTableHeader/8020039/TableHeaderRendererExceptionTest.java	Thu Feb 25 10:22:22 2016 +0530
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright (c) 2016, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
+ * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS FILE HEADER.
+ *
+ * This code is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
+ * under the terms of the GNU General Public License version 2 only, as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation.
+ *
+ * This code is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT
+ * ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
+ * FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the GNU General Public License
+ * version 2 for more details (a copy is included in the LICENSE file that
+ * accompanied this code).
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License version
+ * 2 along with this work; if not, write to the Free Software Foundation,
+ * Inc., 51 Franklin St, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.
+ *
+ * Please contact Oracle, 500 Oracle Parkway, Redwood Shores, CA 94065 USA
+ * or visit www.oracle.com if you need additional information or have any
+ * questions.
+ */
+
+import javax.swing.UIManager;
+import javax.swing.table.JTableHeader;
+
+/**
+ * @test
+ * @summary Tests whether getTableCellRendererComponent() method handles
+ *          null table parameter
+ * @bug 8020039
+ * @run main TableHeaderRendererExceptionTest
+ */
+public class TableHeaderRendererExceptionTest {
+
+    public static void main(String[] args) throws Throwable {
+        //Execute test for all supported look and feels
+        UIManager.LookAndFeelInfo[] lookAndFeelArray
+                = UIManager.getInstalledLookAndFeels();
+
+        for (UIManager.LookAndFeelInfo lookAndFeelItem : lookAndFeelArray) {
+            String lookAndFeelString = lookAndFeelItem.getClassName();
+
+            UIManager.setLookAndFeel(lookAndFeelString);
+
+            // Test getTableCellRendererComponent method by passing null table
+            JTableHeader header = new JTableHeader();
+
+            header.getDefaultRenderer().getTableCellRendererComponent(null,
+                    " test ", true, true, -1, 0);
+        }
+    }
+}