diff --git a/jdk/src/share/classes/sun/tools/jconsole/ConnectDialog.java b/jdk/src/share/classes/sun/tools/jconsole/ConnectDialog.java
index ea3f8366766..3198fd6cd6a 100644
--- a/jdk/src/share/classes/sun/tools/jconsole/ConnectDialog.java
+++ b/jdk/src/share/classes/sun/tools/jconsole/ConnectDialog.java
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright (c) 2004, 2012, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
+ * Copyright (c) 2004, 2013, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
  * DO NOT ALTER OR REMOVE COPYRIGHT NOTICES OR THIS FILE HEADER.
  *
  * This code is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it
@@ -268,8 +268,13 @@ public class ConnectDialog extends InternalDialog
 
     public void revalidate() {
         // Adjust some colors
+        Color disabledForeground = UIManager.getColor("Label.disabledForeground");
+        if (disabledForeground == null) {
+            // fall back for Nimbus that doesn't support 'Label.disabledForeground'
+            disabledForeground = UIManager.getColor("Label.disabledText");
+        }
         hintTextColor =
-            ensureContrast(UIManager.getColor("Label.disabledForeground"),
+            ensureContrast(disabledForeground,
                            UIManager.getColor("Panel.background"));
         disabledTableCellColor =
             ensureContrast(new Color(0x808080),
diff --git a/jdk/src/share/classes/sun/tools/jconsole/VMPanel.java b/jdk/src/share/classes/sun/tools/jconsole/VMPanel.java
index b7a0f5b410b..1561b9cc5bb 100644
--- a/jdk/src/share/classes/sun/tools/jconsole/VMPanel.java
+++ b/jdk/src/share/classes/sun/tools/jconsole/VMPanel.java
@@ -153,9 +153,11 @@ public class VMPanel extends JTabbedPane implements PropertyChangeListener {
     // in order to reserve space for the connect toggle.
     public void setUI(TabbedPaneUI ui) {
         Insets insets = (Insets) UIManager.getLookAndFeelDefaults().get("TabbedPane.tabAreaInsets");
-        insets = (Insets) insets.clone();
-        insets.right += connectedIcon24.getIconWidth() + 8;
-        UIManager.put("TabbedPane.tabAreaInsets", insets);
+        if (insets != null) {
+            insets = (Insets) insets.clone();
+            insets.right += connectedIcon24.getIconWidth() + 8;
+            UIManager.put("TabbedPane.tabAreaInsets", insets);
+        }
         super.setUI(ui);
     }