diff --git a/buildSrc/src/main/java/org/springframework/gradle/docs/SpringJavadocApiPlugin.java b/buildSrc/src/main/java/org/springframework/gradle/docs/SpringJavadocApiPlugin.java
index dac79b1d9..b393ca457 100644
--- a/buildSrc/src/main/java/org/springframework/gradle/docs/SpringJavadocApiPlugin.java
+++ b/buildSrc/src/main/java/org/springframework/gradle/docs/SpringJavadocApiPlugin.java
@@ -79,6 +79,7 @@ public void execute(Task task) {
 	public void setExcludes(String... excludes) {
 		if (excludes == null) {
 			this.excludes = Collections.emptySet();
+			return;
 		}
 		this.excludes = new HashSet<>(excludes.length);
 		for (String exclude : excludes) {