diff --git a/main.js b/main.js
index 709fdcc0..67420672 100644
--- a/main.js
+++ b/main.js
@@ -88,6 +88,11 @@ class SmartConnectionsPlugin extends Obsidian.Plugin {
 
     // runs when file is opened
     this.registerEvent(this.app.workspace.on('file-open', (file) => {
+      // if no file is open, return
+      if(!file) {
+        // console.log("no file open, returning");
+        return;
+      }
       // return if file type is not markdown
       if(file.extension !== "md") {
         // if file is 'canvas' and length of current view content is greater than 300 then return
diff --git a/manifest.json b/manifest.json
index 58981cab..947ceee0 100644
--- a/manifest.json
+++ b/manifest.json
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
   "name": "Smart Connections",
   "author": "Brian Petro",
   "description": "Find links to similar notes using artificial intelligence from OpenAI.",
-  "version": "1.0.16",
+  "version": "1.0.17",
   "minAppVersion": "1.1.0",
   "authorUrl": "https://wfhbrian.com",
   "isDesktopOnly": true