diff --git a/src/ce_nativeproject.pas b/src/ce_nativeproject.pas
index 741a6ad2..92ea5c45 100644
--- a/src/ce_nativeproject.pas
+++ b/src/ce_nativeproject.pas
@@ -568,6 +568,11 @@ var
   {$ENDIF}
 //
 begin
+  if not fHasLoaded then
+  begin
+    dlgOkError('"' + shortenPath(fFilename) + '"' + 'does not seem to be a valid CE project');
+    fFilename:= '';
+  end;
   patchPlateformPaths(fSrcs);
   fModified := false;
   hasPatched := false;