diff --git a/src/state.cpp b/src/state.cpp
index fe067870..0de6e636 100644
--- a/src/state.cpp
+++ b/src/state.cpp
@@ -917,7 +917,7 @@ void FCEUI_LoadState(const char *fname)
 	{
 		FCEUI_MakeBackupMovie(false);	//Backup the movie before the contents get altered, but do not display messages						  
 	}
-	if (!file_exists(fname))
+	if (!file_exists(fname) && fname != NULL)
 	{
 		loadStateFailed = 1;
 		return; // state doesn't exist; exit cleanly