diff --git a/src/fortran.cpp b/src/fortran.cpp
index eff37da..285d100 100644
--- a/src/fortran.cpp
+++ b/src/fortran.cpp
@@ -8,18 +8,23 @@ using namespace std;
 using namespace CosmoTool;
 
 UnformattedRead::UnformattedRead(const string& fname)
-  throw()
+  throw(NoSuchFileException)
 {
   f = new ifstream(fname.c_str());
+  if (!*f)
+    throw NoSuchFileException();
+
   swapOrdering = false;
   cSize = Check_32bits;
   checkPointRef = checkPointAccum = 0;
 }
 
 UnformattedRead::UnformattedRead(const char *fname)
-  throw()
+  throw(NoSuchFileException)
 {
   f = new ifstream(fname);
+  if (!*f)
+    throw NoSuchFileException();
   swapOrdering = false;
   cSize = Check_32bits;
   checkPointRef = checkPointAccum = 0;
diff --git a/src/fortran.hpp b/src/fortran.hpp
index 21751bc..361978e 100644
--- a/src/fortran.hpp
+++ b/src/fortran.hpp
@@ -25,9 +25,9 @@ namespace CosmoTool
     };
 
     UnformattedRead(const std::string& fname)
-      throw ();
+      throw (NoSuchFileException);
     UnformattedRead(const char *fname)
-      throw ();
+      throw (NoSuchFileException);
     ~UnformattedRead();
 
     // Todo implement primitive description