allow for undefined target type

org.springframework.expression/src/main/java/org/springframework/expression/common/ExpressionUtils.java

@@ -22,33 +22,34 @@ import org.springframework.expression.TypeUtils;
 
 /**
  * Common utility functions that may be used by any Expression Language provider.
- *
+ * 
  * @author Andy Clement
  */
 public class ExpressionUtils {
 
 	/**
-	 * Determines if there is a type converter available in the specified context and attempts to use it to convert the supplied
-	 * value to the specified type.  Throws an exception if conversion is not possible.
+	 * Determines if there is a type converter available in the specified context and attempts to use it to convert the
+	 * supplied value to the specified type. Throws an exception if conversion is not possible.
 	 * 
 	 * @param context the evaluation context that may define a type converter
 	 * @param value the value to convert (may be null)
 	 * @param toType the type to attempt conversion to
 	 * @return the converted value
-	 * @throws EvaluationException if there is a problem during conversion or conversion of the value to the specified type is not supported
+	 * @throws EvaluationException if there is a problem during conversion or conversion of the value to the specified
+	 * type is not supported
 	 */
 	public static Object convert(EvaluationContext context, Object value, Class<?> toType) throws EvaluationException {
-		if (value==null || toType.isAssignableFrom(value.getClass())) {
+		if (value == null || toType == null || toType.isAssignableFrom(value.getClass())) {
 			return value;
 		}
-		if (context!=null) {
+		if (context != null) {
 			TypeUtils typeUtils = context.getTypeUtils();
 			if (typeUtils != null) {
 				TypeConverter typeConverter = typeUtils.getTypeConverter();
-				return typeConverter.convertValue(value,toType);
+				return typeConverter.convertValue(value, toType);
 			}
 		}
-		throw new EvaluationException("Cannot convert value '"+value+"' to type '"+toType.getName()+"'");
+		throw new EvaluationException("Cannot convert value '" + value + "' to type '" + toType.getName() + "'");
 	}
 
 }