diff --git a/eeschema/files-io.cpp b/eeschema/files-io.cpp
index 7cd6b0eaae..23bf1f25e8 100644
--- a/eeschema/files-io.cpp
+++ b/eeschema/files-io.cpp
@@ -235,6 +235,7 @@ bool SCH_EDIT_FRAME::OpenProjectFiles( const std::vector<wxString>& aFileSet, in
 
     // unload current project file before loading new
     {
+        SetScreen( nullptr );
         delete g_RootSheet;
         g_RootSheet = NULL;
 
@@ -283,6 +284,7 @@ bool SCH_EDIT_FRAME::OpenProjectFiles( const std::vector<wxString>& aFileSet, in
     }
     else
     {
+        SetScreen( nullptr );
         delete g_RootSheet;   // Delete the current project.
         g_RootSheet = NULL;   // Force CreateScreens() to build new empty project on load failure.
         SCH_PLUGIN::SCH_PLUGIN_RELEASER pi( SCH_IO_MGR::FindPlugin( SCH_IO_MGR::SCH_LEGACY ) );