diff --git a/src/GrampsDisplay.py b/src/GrampsDisplay.py
index 3e15d2ae7..d56ab61e6 100644
--- a/src/GrampsDisplay.py
+++ b/src/GrampsDisplay.py
@@ -80,13 +80,14 @@ def url(link, uistate=None):
     """
     Open the specified URL in a browser. 
     """
+    from gui.utils import open_file_with_default_application
     if uistate and config.get('htmlview.url-handler'):
         cat_num = uistate.viewmanager.get_category('Web')
         if cat_num is not None:
             page = uistate.viewmanager.goto_page(cat_num, None)
             page.open(link)
             return
-    if not open_with_default_application(link):
+    if not open_file_with_default_application(link):
         run_browser(link)
 
 def run_browser(url):
diff --git a/src/gui/utils.py b/src/gui/utils.py
index 9e1ac200a..94742d75e 100644
--- a/src/gui/utils.py
+++ b/src/gui/utils.py
@@ -333,12 +333,15 @@ def display_error_dialog (index, errorstrings):
     Display a message box for errors resulting from xdg-open/open
     """
     from QuestionDialog import ErrorDialog
-    error = "The external program failed to launch or experienced an error"
+    error = _("The external program failed to launch or experienced an error")
     if errorstrings:
-        try:
-            error = errorstrings[resp]
-        except KeyError:
-            pass
+        if isinstance(errorstrings, dict):
+            try:
+                error = errorstrings[resp]
+            except KeyError:
+                pass
+            else:
+                error = errorstrings
 
     ErrorDialog(_("Error from external program"), error)
 
@@ -382,7 +385,7 @@ def open_file_with_default_application(uri):
     if (not urlcomp.scheme or urlcomp.scheme == 'file'):
         norm_path = os.path.normpath(urlcomp.path)
         if not os.path.exists(norm_path):
-            ErrorDialog(_("Error Opening File"), _("File does not exist"))
+            display_error(0, _("File does not exist"))
             return False
     else:
         norm_path = uri
@@ -391,7 +394,7 @@ def open_file_with_default_application(uri):
         try:
             os.startfile(norm_path)
         except WindowsError, msg:
-            ErrorDialog(_("Error Opening File"), str(msg))
+            display_error(0, str(msg))
             return False
         return True