diff --git a/AsyncDisplayKit/ASCellNode.h b/AsyncDisplayKit/ASCellNode.h
index c7a5e6041d..c42b1a0823 100644
--- a/AsyncDisplayKit/ASCellNode.h
+++ b/AsyncDisplayKit/ASCellNode.h
@@ -87,10 +87,10 @@ typedef NSUInteger ASCellNodeAnimation;
  * ASCellNode must forward touch events in order for UITableView and UICollectionView tap handling to work. Overriding
  * these methods (e.g. for highlighting) requires the super method be called.
  */
-- (void)touchesBegan:(NSSet *)touches withEvent:(UIEvent *)event ASDISPLAYNODE_REQUIRES_SUPER;
-- (void)touchesMoved:(NSSet *)touches withEvent:(UIEvent *)event ASDISPLAYNODE_REQUIRES_SUPER;
-- (void)touchesEnded:(NSSet *)touches withEvent:(UIEvent *)event ASDISPLAYNODE_REQUIRES_SUPER;
-- (void)touchesCancelled:(NSSet *)touches withEvent:(UIEvent *)event ASDISPLAYNODE_REQUIRES_SUPER;
+- (void)touchesBegan:(NSSet *)touches withEvent:(nullable UIEvent *)event ASDISPLAYNODE_REQUIRES_SUPER;
+- (void)touchesMoved:(NSSet *)touches withEvent:(nullable UIEvent *)event ASDISPLAYNODE_REQUIRES_SUPER;
+- (void)touchesEnded:(NSSet *)touches withEvent:(nullable UIEvent *)event ASDISPLAYNODE_REQUIRES_SUPER;
+- (void)touchesCancelled:(NSSet *)touches withEvent:(nullable UIEvent *)event ASDISPLAYNODE_REQUIRES_SUPER;
 
 /**
  * Marks the node as needing layout. Convenience for use whether the view / layer is loaded or not. Safe to call from a background thread.
diff --git a/AsyncDisplayKit/ASCellNode.m b/AsyncDisplayKit/ASCellNode.m
index a56e9f3501..3881aff93a 100644
--- a/AsyncDisplayKit/ASCellNode.m
+++ b/AsyncDisplayKit/ASCellNode.m
@@ -113,7 +113,8 @@ static const CGFloat kFontSize = 18.0f;
 {
   if (!(self = [super init]))
     return nil;
-
+  
+  _text = @"";
   _textNode = [[ASTextNode alloc] init];
   [self addSubnode:_textNode];