diff --git a/platform/lang-impl/src/com/intellij/ide/projectView/impl/ProjectViewPane.java b/platform/lang-impl/src/com/intellij/ide/projectView/impl/ProjectViewPane.java
index 8203be718b44..beac9cdf9003 100644
--- a/platform/lang-impl/src/com/intellij/ide/projectView/impl/ProjectViewPane.java
+++ b/platform/lang-impl/src/com/intellij/ide/projectView/impl/ProjectViewPane.java
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ public class ProjectViewPane extends AbstractProjectViewPSIPane {
 
     @Override
     public boolean addSubtreeToUpdateByElement(Object element) {
-      if (element instanceof PsiDirectory) {
+      if (element instanceof PsiDirectory && !myProject.isDisposed()) {
         final PsiDirectory dir = (PsiDirectory)element;
         final ProjectTreeStructure treeStructure = (ProjectTreeStructure)myTreeStructure;
         PsiDirectory dirToUpdateFrom = dir;