diff --git a/Mage/src/mage/abilities/effects/common/counter/ProliferateEffect.java b/Mage/src/mage/abilities/effects/common/counter/ProliferateEffect.java
index e4802c064f..99acfdfef6 100644
--- a/Mage/src/mage/abilities/effects/common/counter/ProliferateEffect.java
+++ b/Mage/src/mage/abilities/effects/common/counter/ProliferateEffect.java
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ public class ProliferateEffect extends OneShotEffect {
         //had, if thats the case this ability should fizzle.
         if (target.canChoose(controller.getId(), game)) {
             boolean abilityApplied = false;
-            Map<String, Serializable> options = new HashMap<String, Serializable>();
+            Map<String, Serializable> options = new HashMap<>();
             options.put("UI.right.btn.text", "Done");
             while (target.canChoose(controller.getId(), game)) {
                 if (controller.choose(Outcome.Benefit, target, source.getSourceId(), game, options)) {
diff --git a/Mage/src/mage/target/TargetImpl.java b/Mage/src/mage/target/TargetImpl.java
index 30c2fc1903..d0a0710458 100644
--- a/Mage/src/mage/target/TargetImpl.java
+++ b/Mage/src/mage/target/TargetImpl.java
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ public abstract class TargetImpl implements Target {
     
     @Override
     public boolean isRequired(Ability ability) {
-        return ability.isActivated() || !(ability.getAbilityType().equals(AbilityType.SPELL) || ability.getAbilityType().equals(AbilityType.ACTIVATED));
+        return ability == null || ability.isActivated() || !(ability.getAbilityType().equals(AbilityType.SPELL) || ability.getAbilityType().equals(AbilityType.ACTIVATED));
     }
 
     @Override