     // clean out the container: remove all elements, detach event listeners, null out references
     private function cleanContainer():void
     {
-        listContainer.removeAllElements();
+        if (listContainer)
+            listContainer.removeAllElements();
         
         if (yearList)
         {

    //
    //--------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    [SkinPart(required="true")]
    /**
     *  The default factory for creating SpinnerList interfaces for all fields.
     *  This is used by createDateItemList().

     */
    public var dateItemList:IFactory;
    
    [SkinPart] 
    /**
     *  The container for the date part lists
     * 
