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    Type:Bug Report 
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    Resolution: Fixed
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    Priority:L3 - Default 
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    Affects Version/s: 7.9.0
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    Component/s: external task client java
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    None
What are the steps to reproduce your problem?  
Subscribe to a topic and pass null value as a variables:
    client.subscribe(EXTERNAL_TASK_TOPIC_FOO)
      .variables(null)
      .handler(handler)
      .open();
What is the problem?  
NullPointerException is thrown.
What would be the expected behavior: 
Thrown a proper exception or ignore the variables parameter.