diff --git a/src/Microsoft.DotNet.Wpf/src/PresentationFramework/System/Windows/Automation/Peers/ItemsControlAutomationPeer.cs b/src/Microsoft.DotNet.Wpf/src/PresentationFramework/System/Windows/Automation/Peers/ItemsControlAutomationPeer.cs
index a5b49ae2502..4dad9a63153 100644
--- a/src/Microsoft.DotNet.Wpf/src/PresentationFramework/System/Windows/Automation/Peers/ItemsControlAutomationPeer.cs
+++ b/src/Microsoft.DotNet.Wpf/src/PresentationFramework/System/Windows/Automation/Peers/ItemsControlAutomationPeer.cs
@@ -162,6 +162,12 @@ protected override List<AutomationPeer> GetChildrenCore()
                         dataItem = item;
                     }
 
+                    if (dataItem == null)
+                    {
+                        // skip null items
+                        continue;
+                    }
+
                     // try to reuse old peer if it exists either in Current AT or in WeakRefStorage of Peers being sent to Client
                     ItemAutomationPeer peer = oldChildren[dataItem];
                     peer = ReusePeerForItem(peer, dataItem);