diff --git a/spring-batch-infrastructure/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/item/file/MultiResourceItemReader.java b/spring-batch-infrastructure/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/item/file/MultiResourceItemReader.java
index 101b77f28..ef1da2346 100644
--- a/spring-batch-infrastructure/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/item/file/MultiResourceItemReader.java
+++ b/spring-batch-infrastructure/src/main/java/org/springframework/batch/item/file/MultiResourceItemReader.java
@@ -95,9 +95,7 @@ public class MultiResourceItemReader<T> implements ItemReader<T>, ItemStream {
 			delegate.open(new ExecutionContext());
 		}
 
-		T item;
-		item = readNextItem();
-		return item;
+		return readNextItem();
 	}
 
 	/**
@@ -209,7 +207,7 @@ public class MultiResourceItemReader<T> implements ItemReader<T>, ItemStream {
 	}
 
 	public Resource getCurrentResource() {
-		if (currentResource >= resources.length) {
+		if (currentResource >= resources.length || currentResource < 0) {
 			return null;
 		}
 		return resources[currentResource];
diff --git a/spring-batch-infrastructure/src/test/java/org/springframework/batch/item/file/MultiResourceItemReaderIntegrationTests.java b/spring-batch-infrastructure/src/test/java/org/springframework/batch/item/file/MultiResourceItemReaderIntegrationTests.java
index 0a7cd7c29..e43c8b229 100644
--- a/spring-batch-infrastructure/src/test/java/org/springframework/batch/item/file/MultiResourceItemReaderIntegrationTests.java
+++ b/spring-batch-infrastructure/src/test/java/org/springframework/batch/item/file/MultiResourceItemReaderIntegrationTests.java
@@ -344,5 +344,12 @@ public class MultiResourceItemReaderIntegrationTests {
 			//the 1st item, rather than on open
 		}
 	}
+	
+	@Test
+	public void testGetCurrentResourceBeforeRead() throws Exception {
+		tested.open(ctx);
+		assertNull("There is no 'current' resource before read is called", tested.getCurrentResource());
+		
+	}
 
 }