Failed to start the agent java.lang.NullPointerException is thrown when trying to start JON Agent

Issue

• When starting JON Agent the following exception is thrown:

> RHQ 1.3.1.GA [5295] (Thu Feb 25 00:46:23 CET 2010)
  Answer the following questions to setup this RHQ Agent instance.
- After each prompt, a default value will appear in square brackets.
  If you press the ENTER key without providing any value,
  the new preference value will be set to that default value.
- If you wish to rely on the system internal default value and
  not define any preference value, enter '!*'.
- If you wish to stop before finishing all the questions but still
  retain those preferences you already set, enter '!+'.
- If you wish to cancel before finishing all the questions and revert
  all preferences back to their original values, enter '!-'.
- If you need help for a particular preference, enter '!?'.
  Agent Name [agentName]: Failed to start the agent
  java.lang.NullPointerException
  at org.rhq.enterprise.communications.util.prefs.Setup.prompt(Setup.java.303)
  at org.rhq.enterprise.communications.util.prefs.Setup.setup(Setup.java:193)
  at org.rhq.enterprise.agent.promptcmd.SetupPromptCommand.performBasicSetup(SetupPromptCommand.java:106)
  at org.rhq.enterprise.agent.AgentMain.main(AgentMain.java:399)
  Agent will be restarted soon to see if the failure condition cleared up