diff --git a/src/project.coffee b/src/project.coffee
index 935e3a213..bb9c8be80 100644
--- a/src/project.coffee
+++ b/src/project.coffee
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ class Project extends Model
   ###
 
   deserialize: (state, deserializerManager) ->
-    states.paths = [state.path] if state.path? # backward compatibility
+    state.paths = [state.path] if state.path? # backward compatibility
 
     @buffers = _.compact state.buffers.map (bufferState) ->
       # Check that buffer's file path is accessible