diff --git a/src/App/Application.cpp b/src/App/Application.cpp
index af237eb1a..79ee1f321 100644
--- a/src/App/Application.cpp
+++ b/src/App/Application.cpp
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@
 # include <iostream>
 # include <sstream>
 # include <exception>
+# include <ios>
 # if defined(FC_OS_LINUX) || defined(FC_OS_MACOSX) || defined(FC_OS_BSD)
 # include <unistd.h>
 # include <pwd.h>
@@ -442,10 +443,21 @@ Document* Application::openDocument(const char * FileName)
         newDoc->restore();
         return newDoc;
     }
-    catch (...) {
+    // if the project file itself is corrupt then
+    // close the document
+    catch (const Base::FileException&) {
         closeDocument(newDoc->getName());
         throw;
     }
+    catch (const std::ios_base::failure&) {
+        closeDocument(newDoc->getName());
+        throw;
+    }
+    // but for any other exceptions leave it open to give the
+    // user a chance to fix it
+    catch (...) {
+        throw;
+    }
 }
 
 Document* Application::getActiveDocument(void) const