Unable to print Java applets from Internet Explorer using IE's print button

In Internet Explorer 4 or Internet Explorer 5, if a page is loaded that uses the Java Plug-in 1.2.2 to run an Applet it is not possible to correctly print the web page using the browsers print button. The applet panel prints as a black box in the correct location and a NullPointerException is thrown. All other page elements print correctly.

Complete error message:

java.lang.NullPointerException
at sun.applet.AppletPanel.joinAppletThread(AppletPanel.java:161)
at sun.applet.AppletPanel.sendEvent(AppletPanel.java:248)
at sun.plugin.AppletViewer.onPrivateClose(AppletViewer.java:427)
at sun.plugin.AppletViewer$1.run(AppletViewer.java:399)
at java.lang.Thread.run(Thread.java:479)