diff --git a/src/helma/util/SystemProperties.java b/src/helma/util/SystemProperties.java
index dd24ad65..c532e673 100644
--- a/src/helma/util/SystemProperties.java
+++ b/src/helma/util/SystemProperties.java
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ public final class SystemProperties extends Properties {
         clear();
 
         // read from the primary file
-        if (file != null) {
+        if (file != null && file.exists()) {
             FileInputStream bpin = null;
 
             try {