diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/viewer/ui.py b/src/calibre/gui2/viewer/ui.py
index c74b55ac80..d1c8e8f701 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/viewer/ui.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/viewer/ui.py
@@ -428,6 +428,10 @@ class EbookViewer(MainWindow):
         error_dialog(self, title, msg, det_msg=details or None, show=True)
 
     def print_book(self):
+        if not hasattr(set_book_path, 'pathtoebook'):
+            error_dialog(self, _('No ebook selected'), _(
+                "Cannot print a book if no book is open yet."), show=True)
+            return
         from .printing import print_book
         print_book(set_book_path.pathtoebook, book_title=self.current_book_data['metadata']['title'], parent=self)