diff --git a/clite/commands.js b/clite/commands.js
index 1e35051..773c3c3 100644
--- a/clite/commands.js
+++ b/clite/commands.js
@@ -326,6 +326,11 @@ Options:
 	}
 
 	var fd = stdio.open(file,prepFile);
+	if (!fd) {
+		io.error('could not open file: '+file);
+		io.exit(1);
+		return;
+	}
 
 	var tty = term.createTTY();
 	tty.setRaw(false);