diff --git a/src/core/org/apache/jmeter/testelement/property/MapProperty.java b/src/core/org/apache/jmeter/testelement/property/MapProperty.java
index 3c8951f51d..899bf020dc 100644
--- a/src/core/org/apache/jmeter/testelement/property/MapProperty.java
+++ b/src/core/org/apache/jmeter/testelement/property/MapProperty.java
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 
 package org.apache.jmeter.testelement.property;
 
+import java.util.HashMap;
 import java.util.Map;
 
 import org.apache.jmeter.testelement.TestElement;
@@ -39,6 +40,7 @@ public class MapProperty extends MultiProperty {
 
     public MapProperty() {
         super();
+        value = new HashMap<>();
     }
 
     /** {@inheritDoc} */
diff --git a/test/src/org/apache/jmeter/testelement/property/MapPropertyTest.java b/test/src/org/apache/jmeter/testelement/property/MapPropertyTest.java
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..52cc597d98
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/src/org/apache/jmeter/testelement/property/MapPropertyTest.java
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+package org.apache.jmeter.testelement.property;
+
+import org.junit.Test;
+
+public class MapPropertyTest {
+
+    @Test
+    public void testBug62281MapProperty() {
+        MapProperty props = new MapProperty();
+        props.addProperty("Foo", new BooleanProperty());
+    }
+
+}
diff --git a/xdocs/changes.xml b/xdocs/changes.xml
index 6c02332046..ff1fb74389 100644
--- a/xdocs/changes.xml
+++ b/xdocs/changes.xml
@@ -229,6 +229,7 @@ this behaviour, set <code>httpclient.reset_state_on_thread_group_iteration=false
   <li><bug>62240</bug>If SampleMonitor implementation is a TestBean if will not be initialized correctly</li>
   <li><bug>62295</bug>Correct order of elements when duplicating a selection of multiple elements.</li>
   <li><bug>62397</bug>Don't break lines at commata when using JSON Path Tester</li> 
+  <li><bug>62281</bug>Prevent NPE in MapProperty. Patch by belugabehr (dam6923 at gmail.com)</li>
 </ul>
 
  <!--  =================== Thanks =================== -->
@@ -251,6 +252,7 @@ this behaviour, set <code>httpclient.reset_state_on_thread_group_iteration=false
     <li>Perze Ababa (perze.ababa at gmail.com)</li>
     <li>Martha Laks (laks.martha at gmail.com)</li>
     <li>Logan Mauzaize (t524467 at airfrance.fr)</li>
+    <li>belugabehr (dam6923 at gmail.com)</li>
 </ul>
 <p>We also thank bug reporters who helped us improve JMeter.</p>
 <p>