diff --git a/gtk/file_dlg.c b/gtk/file_dlg.c
index da570fe763..d93f402652 100644
--- a/gtk/file_dlg.c
+++ b/gtk/file_dlg.c
@@ -1395,7 +1395,15 @@ file_save_as_ok_cb(GtkWidget *w _U_, gpointer fs) {
        just leave it around so that the user can, after they
        dismiss the alert box popped up for the error, try again. */
     g_free(cf_name);
+#if (GTK_MAJOR_VERSION == 2 && GTK_MINOR_VERSION >= 4) || GTK_MAJOR_VERSION > 2
+    /* as we cannot start a new event loop (using gtk_dialog_run()), as this 
+     * will prevent the user from closing the now existing error message, 
+     * simply close the dialog (this is the best we can do here). */
+    if (file_save_as_w)
+      window_destroy(GTK_WIDGET (fs));
+#else
     gtk_widget_show(GTK_WIDGET (fs));
+#endif
     return;
   }