diff --git a/validation-model/src/main/java/org/verapdf/gf/model/impl/pd/gfse/GFSETable.java b/validation-model/src/main/java/org/verapdf/gf/model/impl/pd/gfse/GFSETable.java
index 7eb6601d4..ed5df9a72 100644
--- a/validation-model/src/main/java/org/verapdf/gf/model/impl/pd/gfse/GFSETable.java
+++ b/validation-model/src/main/java/org/verapdf/gf/model/impl/pd/gfse/GFSETable.java
@@ -272,7 +272,9 @@ private Integer getNumberOfColumns(GFPDStructElem firstTR) {
     private Integer getNumberOfRows(List<GFPDStructElem> listTR) {
         int numberOfRows = 0;
         for (GFPDStructElem TR : listTR) {
-            for (PDStructElem elem : TR.getStructuralSignificanceChildren()) {
+            List<GFPDStructElem> children = TR.getStructuralSignificanceChildren();
+            if (!children.isEmpty()) {
+                PDStructElem elem = children.get(0);
                 String type = elem.getstandardType();
                 if (TaggedPDFConstants.TH.equals(type) || TaggedPDFConstants.TD.equals(type)) {
                     numberOfRows += ((GFSETableCell)elem).getRowSpan();