diff --git a/src/main/java/org/apache/commons/scxml2/model/SimpleTransition.java b/src/main/java/org/apache/commons/scxml2/model/SimpleTransition.java
index 20b58d2..8a427a5 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/apache/commons/scxml2/model/SimpleTransition.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/apache/commons/scxml2/model/SimpleTransition.java
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@
     }
 
     private boolean isCompoundStateParent(TransitionalState ts) {
-        return ts != null && ts instanceof State && ((State)ts).isComposite();
+        return ts instanceof State && ((State)ts).isComposite();
     }
 
     /**