diff --git a/src/main/java/seedu/address/ui/DisplayListPanel.java b/src/main/java/seedu/address/ui/DisplayListPanel.java
index a706542bc35..25a49a3c74f 100644
--- a/src/main/java/seedu/address/ui/DisplayListPanel.java
+++ b/src/main/java/seedu/address/ui/DisplayListPanel.java
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ public DisplayListPanel(Person person, CommandBox.CommandExecutor commandExecuto
         DisplayPerson displayPerson = new DisplayPerson(person);
         displayListView.setCellFactory(listView -> new DisplayListPanel.PersonListViewCell());
         displayListView.setItems(displayPerson.getFieldDescriptions());
-        descriptionTextArea.setText(person.getDescription().get().value);
+        descriptionTextArea.setText(person.getDescription().map(Object::toString).orElse(""));
         descriptionTextArea.textProperty().addListener((unused1, unused2, unused3) -> setStyleToDefault());
         descriptionTextArea.setOnKeyPressed(event -> handleDescriptionEntered(event.getCode()));