diff --git a/app/src/main/java/org/secuso/privacyfriendlysudoku/ui/view/SudokuFieldLayout.java b/app/src/main/java/org/secuso/privacyfriendlysudoku/ui/view/SudokuFieldLayout.java
index 17e07ca..4e3783d 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/org/secuso/privacyfriendlysudoku/ui/view/SudokuFieldLayout.java
+++ b/app/src/main/java/org/secuso/privacyfriendlysudoku/ui/view/SudokuFieldLayout.java
@@ -205,6 +205,11 @@ public class SudokuFieldLayout extends RelativeLayout implements IHighlightChang
     public void dispatchDraw(Canvas canvas) {
         super.dispatchDraw(canvas);
 
+
+        if(gameController == null) {
+            return;
+        }
+
         // draw error list
         p = new Paint(Paint.ANTI_ALIAS_FLAG);
         p.setStyle(Paint.Style.STROKE);
diff --git a/app/src/main/res/layout/content_game_view.xml b/app/src/main/res/layout/content_game_view.xml
index f797750..a7cca9d 100644
--- a/app/src/main/res/layout/content_game_view.xml
+++ b/app/src/main/res/layout/content_game_view.xml
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
     <org.secuso.privacyfriendlysudoku.ui.view.SudokuFieldLayout
         android:id="@+id/sudokuLayout"
         android:layout_width="match_parent"
+        android:layoutDirection="ltr"
         android:layout_height="wrap_content"
         android:clickable="true"
         android:gravity="center" />