diff --git a/src/vcard.py b/src/vcard.py
index 9853571fa..427f827c0 100644
--- a/src/vcard.py
+++ b/src/vcard.py
@@ -161,7 +161,16 @@ class VcardWindow:
 		f = None
 		def on_ok(widget, path_to_file):
 			filesize = os.path.getsize(path_to_file) # in bytes
-			if filesize > 16384: # 16 kb
+			#FIXME: use messages for invalid file for 0.11
+			invalid_file = False
+			msg = ''
+			if os.path.isfile(path_to_file):
+				stat = os.stat(path_to_file)
+				if stat[6] == 0:
+					invalid_file = True
+			else:
+				invalid_file = True
+			if not invalid_file and filesize > 16384: # 16 kb
 				try:
 					pixbuf = gtk.gdk.pixbuf_new_from_file(path_to_file)
 					# get the image at 'notification size'
@@ -169,9 +178,14 @@ class VcardWindow:
 					scaled_pixbuf = gtkgui_helpers.get_scaled_pixbuf(pixbuf,
 						'notification')
 				except gobject.GError, msg: # unknown format
+					# msg should be string, not object instance
+					msg = str(msg)
+					invalid_file = True
+			if invalid_file:
+				if True: # keep identation
 					dialogs.ErrorDialog(_('Could not load image'), msg)
 					return
-				else:
+			if filesize > 16384:
 					if scaled_pixbuf:
 						path_to_file = os.path.join(gajim.TMP,
 							'avatar_scaled.png')