diff --git a/code/modules/client/preferences.dm b/code/modules/client/preferences.dm
index 62822258a1..31f100468b 100644
--- a/code/modules/client/preferences.dm
+++ b/code/modules/client/preferences.dm
@@ -357,11 +357,14 @@ GLOBAL_LIST_EMPTY(preferences_datums)
 			dat += "<HR>"
 
 			dat += "<center>"
-			var/savefile/client_file = new(user.client.Import())
+			var/file = user.client.Import()
+			var/savefile/client_file
 			var/savefile_name
-			if(istype(client_file, /savefile))
-				if(!client_file["deleted"] || savefile_needs_update(client_file) != -2)
-					client_file["real_name"] >> savefile_name
+			if(file)
+				client_file = new(file)
+				if(istype(client_file, /savefile))
+					if(!client_file["deleted"] || savefile_needs_update(client_file) != -2)
+						client_file["real_name"] >> savefile_name
 			dat += "Local storage: [savefile_name ? savefile_name : "Empty"]"
 			dat += "<br />"
 			dat += "<a href='?_src_=prefs;preference=export_slot'>Export current slot</a>"