diff --git a/modules/citrus-admin/src/main/java/com/consol/citrus/admin/converter/TestcaseModelConverter.java b/modules/citrus-admin/src/main/java/com/consol/citrus/admin/converter/TestcaseModelConverter.java
index <HASH>..<HASH> 100644
--- a/modules/citrus-admin/src/main/java/com/consol/citrus/admin/converter/TestcaseModelConverter.java
+++ b/modules/citrus-admin/src/main/java/com/consol/citrus/admin/converter/TestcaseModelConverter.java
@@ -40,15 +40,18 @@ public class TestcaseModelConverter implements ObjectConverter<Testcase, TestCas
         metaInfoType.setStatus(definition.getMetaInfo().getStatus().name());
         testModel.setMetaInfo(metaInfoType);
 
+        Variables variables = new Variables();
         for (Map.Entry<String, ?> variableEntry : definition.getVariableDefinitions().entrySet()) {
             Variables.Variable variable = new Variables.Variable();
 
             variable.setName(variableEntry.getKey());
             variable.setValue(variableEntry.getValue().toString());
 
-            testModel.getVariables().getVariables().add(variable);
+            variables.getVariables().add(variable);
         }
 
+        testModel.setVariables(variables);
+
         for (TestAction testAction : definition.getActions()) {
             Action action = new Action();
             action.setReference(testAction.getName());
Fixed issue with NPE when converting variables