add dropdownlist empty value results in "Object reference not set ".. on page load

 hi guys,

I never encountered this before. I have my dropdownlist bound to
a sql datasource on the .aspx

code behind I now want to add an item:
Dim ListItem = New ListItem("", "")
        ddlNewSpec.Items.Add(ListItem)

and I get the "Object reference not set to an instance of an object. " error.

how can that be? I mean the dropdownlist is there. I can see it.

I tried everything stated in this post (2003):http://forums.asp.net/p/1038964/1441959.aspx
...