diff --git a/res/layout/dialtacts_activity.xml b/res/layout/dialtacts_activity.xml
index 6eea633..0f80564 100644
--- a/res/layout/dialtacts_activity.xml
+++ b/res/layout/dialtacts_activity.xml
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@
                         android:textSize="@dimen/search_text_size"
                         android:fontFamily="@string/search_font_family"
                         android:textColor="@color/searchbox_text_color"
+                        android:textColorHint="@color/searchbox_hint_text_color"
                         android:inputType="textFilter"/>
                     <ImageView
                         android:id="@+id/search_close_button"
diff --git a/res/values/colors.xml b/res/values/colors.xml
index 2fb59ed..e9730ea 100644
--- a/res/values/colors.xml
+++ b/res/values/colors.xml
@@ -70,8 +70,10 @@
 
     <!-- Background color of the search box -->
     <color name="searchbox_background_color">#ffffff</color>
-    <!-- Text color of the search box -->
-    <color name="searchbox_text_color">#d3d3d3</color>
+    <!-- Text color of the search box text as entered by user  -->
+    <color name="searchbox_text_color">#000000</color>
+    <!-- Text color of the search box hint text  -->
+    <color name="searchbox_hint_text_color">#d3d3d3</color>
 
     <!-- Color of the contact name in favorite tiles -->
     <color name="contact_tile_name_color">#ffffff</color>
diff --git a/src/com/android/dialer/calllog/ContactInfoHelper.java b/src/com/android/dialer/calllog/ContactInfoHelper.java
index 28edcf3..e1a01b4 100644
--- a/src/com/android/dialer/calllog/ContactInfoHelper.java
+++ b/src/com/android/dialer/calllog/ContactInfoHelper.java
@@ -282,6 +282,7 @@
      *        {@link #mCachedNumberLookupService}.
      */
     public boolean isBusiness(int sourceType) {
-        return mCachedNumberLookupService.isBusiness(sourceType);
+        return mCachedNumberLookupService != null
+                && mCachedNumberLookupService.isBusiness(sourceType);
     }
 }