diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/actions/catalog.py b/src/calibre/gui2/actions/catalog.py
index 5dd7ae47a0..2b6203f0d5 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/actions/catalog.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/actions/catalog.py
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ class GenerateCatalogAction(InterfaceAction):
                 except EnvironmentError as err:
                     if getattr(err, 'errno', None) == errno.EACCES:  # Permission denied
                         import traceback
-                        error_dialog(self, _('Permission denied'),
+                        error_dialog(self.gui, _('Permission denied'),
                                 _('Could not open %s. Is it being used by another'
                                 ' program?')%destination, det_msg=traceback.format_exc(),
                                 show=True)