diff --git a/core-api/src/main/java/com/optimizely/ab/OptimizelyDecisionContext.java b/core-api/src/main/java/com/optimizely/ab/OptimizelyDecisionContext.java
index 4c4159301..3663f769d 100644
--- a/core-api/src/main/java/com/optimizely/ab/OptimizelyDecisionContext.java
+++ b/core-api/src/main/java/com/optimizely/ab/OptimizelyDecisionContext.java
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ public class OptimizelyDecisionContext {
     private String ruleKey;
 
     public OptimizelyDecisionContext(@Nonnull String flagKey, @Nullable String ruleKey) {
+        if (flagKey == null) throw new NullPointerException("FlagKey must not be null, please provide a valid input.");
         this.flagKey = flagKey;
         this.ruleKey = ruleKey;
     }