diff --git a/WHATSNEW b/WHATSNEW
index 3b8a0fa3e..c54921b53 100644
--- a/WHATSNEW
+++ b/WHATSNEW
@@ -50,6 +50,8 @@ Fixed bugs:
 
 * MacroDef did not allow attributes named 'description'. Bugzilla Report 27175.
 
+* Throw build exception if name attribute missing from patternset. Bugzill Report 25982.
+
 Other changes:
 --------------
 
diff --git a/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/types/PatternSet.java b/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/types/PatternSet.java
index 0bb83bc92..2e9d4013a 100644
--- a/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/types/PatternSet.java
+++ b/src/main/org/apache/tools/ant/types/PatternSet.java
@@ -122,7 +122,11 @@ public class PatternSet extends DataType implements Cloneable {
          * @return a printable form of this object.
          */
         public String toString() {
-            StringBuffer buf = new StringBuffer(name != null ? name : "");
+            if (name == null) {
+                throw new BuildException(
+                    "Missing attribute \"name\" for a pattern");
+            }
+            StringBuffer buf = new StringBuffer(name);
             if ((ifCond != null) || (unlessCond != null)) {
                 buf.append(":");
                 String connector = "";