diff --git a/src/ViewManager.py b/src/ViewManager.py
index 81b4a43d8..f7e82f772 100644
--- a/src/ViewManager.py
+++ b/src/ViewManager.py
@@ -461,23 +461,34 @@ class ViewManager:
         gtk.main_quit()
 
     def backup(self):
+        """
+        Backup the current file as an XML file.
+        """
         import GrampsDb
         
         if self.state.db.undoindex > 0:
+
+            # build backup path name
             bpath = self.state.db.get_save_path()
-            name = os.path.splitext(bpath)
-
-            backup = name[0] + ".backup.gramps"
+            backup = os.path.splitext(bpath)[0] + ".backup.gramps"
 
+            # check to see if the old file exists
             if os.path.exists(backup):
                 os.rename(backup,backup + ".old")
-            self.uistate.set_busy_cursor(1)
-            self.uistate.progress.show()
-            self.uistate.push_message(self.state, _("Autobackup..."))
-            writer = GrampsDb.XmlWriter(self.state.db, self.uistate.pulse_progressbar, 0, 1)
-            writer.write(backup)
-            self.uistate.set_busy_cursor(0)
-            self.uistate.progress.hide()
+
+            try:
+                self.uistate.set_busy_cursor(1)
+                self.uistate.progress.show()
+                self.uistate.push_message(self.state, _("Autobackup..."))
+                writer = GrampsDb.XmlWriter(self.state.db, self.uistate.pulse_progressbar, 0, 1)
+                writer.write(backup)
+                self.uistate.set_busy_cursor(0)
+                self.uistate.progress.hide()
+            except:
+                # the backup failed, so we assume that the autobackup file was corrupted, 
+                # so restore the old file
+                if os.path.exists(backup + ".old"):
+                    os.rename(backup+".old",backup)
             
     def abort(self,obj=None):
         """