diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/viewer/main.py b/src/calibre/gui2/viewer/main.py
index 26a77acb26..657701c692 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/viewer/main.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/viewer/main.py
@@ -620,7 +620,8 @@ class EbookViewer(MainWindow):
             self.load_ebook(files[0])
 
     def open_recent(self, action):
-        self.load_ebook(action.path)
+        if hasattr(action, 'path'):
+            self.load_ebook(action.path)
 
     def font_size_larger(self):
         self.view.magnify_fonts()