diff --git a/src/client.cc b/src/client.cc
index a7d3b59aa..6de433b9f 100644
--- a/src/client.cc
+++ b/src/client.cc
@@ -173,10 +173,15 @@ void Client::reload_buffer()
 {
     auto& buffer = context().buffer();
     kak_assert(buffer.flags() & Buffer::Flags::File);
-    Buffer* buf = create_buffer_from_file(buffer.name());
-    kak_assert(buf == &buffer);
-    context().print_status({ format("'{}' reloaded", buffer.display_name()),
-                             get_face("Information") });
+    if (Buffer* buf = create_buffer_from_file(buffer.name()))
+    {
+        kak_assert(buf == &buffer);
+        context().print_status({ format("'{}' reloaded", buffer.display_name()),
+                                 get_face("Information") });
+    }
+    else
+        context().print_status({ format("could not reload '{}'", buffer.display_name()),
+                                 get_face("Error") });
 }
 
 void Client::on_buffer_reload_key(Key key)