diff --git a/src/project.js b/src/project.js
index 002408863..d917c6fe8 100644
--- a/src/project.js
+++ b/src/project.js
@@ -350,7 +350,13 @@ module.exports = class Project extends Model {
   // Public: Get an {Array} of {String}s containing the paths of the project's
   // directories.
   getPaths() {
-    return this.rootDirectories.map(rootDirectory => rootDirectory.getPath());
+    try {
+      return this.rootDirectories.map(rootDirectory => rootDirectory.getPath());
+    } catch (e) {
+      atom.notifications.addError(
+        "Please clear Atom's window state with: atom --clear-window-state"
+      );
+    }
   }
 
   // Public: Set the paths of the project's directories.