diff --git a/core/org.eclipse.cdt.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/ui/util/ExternalEditorInput.java b/core/org.eclipse.cdt.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/ui/util/ExternalEditorInput.java
index 208c2c87cf0..a896b6f9cd8 100644
--- a/core/org.eclipse.cdt.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/ui/util/ExternalEditorInput.java
+++ b/core/org.eclipse.cdt.ui/src/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/ui/util/ExternalEditorInput.java
@@ -92,7 +92,10 @@ public class ExternalEditorInput implements ITranslationUnitEditorInput, IPersis
 	* @see IEditorInput#getPersistable()
 	*/
 	public IPersistableElement getPersistable() {
-		return this;
+		if (location != null) {
+			return this;
+		}
+		return null;
 	}
 
 	/*