diff --git a/electrum/gui/qt/history_list.py b/electrum/gui/qt/history_list.py
index d89b717d7..91d196b7f 100644
--- a/electrum/gui/qt/history_list.py
+++ b/electrum/gui/qt/history_list.py
@@ -655,9 +655,12 @@ class HistoryList(MyTreeView, AcceptFileDragDrop):
         try:
             with open(fn) as f:
                 tx = self.parent.tx_from_text(f.read())
-                self.parent.save_transaction_into_wallet(tx)
         except IOError as e:
             self.parent.show_error(e)
+            return
+        if not tx:
+            return
+        self.parent.save_transaction_into_wallet(tx)
 
     def export_history_dialog(self):
         d = WindowModalDialog(self, _('Export History'))
diff --git a/electrum/gui/qt/main_window.py b/electrum/gui/qt/main_window.py
index 9ee9806d0..8c684d60d 100644
--- a/electrum/gui/qt/main_window.py
+++ b/electrum/gui/qt/main_window.py
@@ -2652,7 +2652,7 @@ class ElectrumWindow(QMainWindow, MessageBoxMixin, Logger):
         d = PasswordDialog(parent, msg)
         return d.run()
 
-    def tx_from_text(self, txt):
+    def tx_from_text(self, txt) -> Optional[Transaction]:
         from electrum.transaction import tx_from_str
         try:
             tx = tx_from_str(txt)
@@ -2685,7 +2685,7 @@ class ElectrumWindow(QMainWindow, MessageBoxMixin, Logger):
             return
         self.show_transaction(tx)
 
-    def read_tx_from_file(self):
+    def read_tx_from_file(self) -> Optional[Transaction]:
         fileName = self.getOpenFileName(_("Select your transaction file"), "*.txn")
         if not fileName:
             return