diff --git a/lib/util/filetemplate.cpp b/lib/util/filetemplate.cpp
index c2454580..bb2cb7c6 100644
--- a/lib/util/filetemplate.cpp
+++ b/lib/util/filetemplate.cpp
@@ -52,13 +52,17 @@ TQString FileTemplate::read(KDevPlugin *part, const TQString &name, Policy p)
 
 TQString FileTemplate::readFile(KDevPlugin *part, const TQString &fileName)
 {
-    TQDomDocument &dom = *part->projectDom();
+    TQDomDocument dom;
 
     TQFile f(fileName);
     if (!f.open(IO_ReadOnly))
         return TQString();
     TQTextStream stream(&f);
     TQString str = stream.read();
+    if (part->projectDom())
+    {
+        dom = *part->projectDom();
+    }
 
     return makeSubstitutions( dom, str );
 }