diff --git a/gramps/src/GrampsCfg.py b/gramps/src/GrampsCfg.py
index 11d49d72d..db57fa3a5 100644
--- a/gramps/src/GrampsCfg.py
+++ b/gramps/src/GrampsCfg.py
@@ -359,11 +359,17 @@ def get_int(key,defval=0):
     else:
         return defval
 
+def set_int(key,value):
+    gnome.config.set_int(key,value)
+
 def set_bool(key,value):
     gnome.config.set_bool(key,value)
 
 def set_string(key,value):
     gnome.config.set_string(key,value)
+
+def sync():
+    gnome.config.sync()
     
 #-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 #
diff --git a/gramps/src/plugins/ReadGedcom.py b/gramps/src/plugins/ReadGedcom.py
index 4893076ba..3f8d0fcca 100644
--- a/gramps/src/plugins/ReadGedcom.py
+++ b/gramps/src/plugins/ReadGedcom.py
@@ -135,7 +135,16 @@ def importData(database, filename, cb=None):
         gnome.ui.GnomeErrorDialog(_("%s could not be opened\n") % filename)
         return
 
-    close = g.parse_gedcom_file()
+    try:
+        close = g.parse_gedcom_file()
+    except GedcomParser.BadFile, msg:
+        Utils.destroy_passed_object(statusWindow)
+        gnome.ui.GnomeErrorDialog(_("Failure reading %s: %s\n"
+                                    "First line should have been '0 HEAD'\n"
+                                    "but was '%s'") %
+                                  (filename,GedcomParser.BadFile,msg))
+        return
+    
     g.resolve_refns()
 
     statusTop.get_widget("close").set_sensitive(1)