diff --git a/Timeline/Project.C b/Timeline/Project.C
index 331745f..1f2ac89 100644
--- a/Timeline/Project.C
+++ b/Timeline/Project.C
@@ -144,6 +144,8 @@ Project::open ( const char *name )
 bool
 Project::create ( const char *name, const char *template_name )
 {
+    close();
+
     if ( exists( name ) )
     {
         WARNING( "Project already exists" );
@@ -165,7 +167,5 @@ Project::create ( const char *name, const char *template_name )
 
     /* TODO: copy template */
 
-    close();
-
     return open( name );
 }