java - Method returning a NullPointerException when it should be returning a -1 -

the following code works fine long name input in directory. if name doesn't exist in directory, returns nullpointerexception. don't understand cos if name doesn't exist in directory, should return -1. why exception? guidance.

public  class  direct{     //directory class contain name , get/set methods it.     private directory[] directory = new directory[100];          public int find(string name){             (int x=0; x < directory.length; x++){                 if (directory[x].getname().equals(name)){ //exception refers line hold error                     return x;                 }             }             return -1;         } }    //testing on main method  direct direct = new direct();  //this works cos name john in directory. system.out.println(direct.find("john"));  returns error cos x not present in directory. system.out.println(direct.find("x")); 

when create directory array of length 100, starts out 100 null references. reached past existing directory objects filled in (if any), , have reached null reference before reaching end of array.

test directory[x] being null before accessing getname(). it's whether return -1 on null array element or continue searching array.