diff --git a/src/qt/qt_vmmanager_preferences.cpp b/src/qt/qt_vmmanager_preferences.cpp
index 0f01fb45e..49b7b4a1f 100644
--- a/src/qt/qt_vmmanager_preferences.cpp
+++ b/src/qt/qt_vmmanager_preferences.cpp
@@ -78,7 +78,8 @@ void
 VMManagerPreferences::chooseDirectoryLocation()
 {
     const auto directory = QFileDialog::getExistingDirectory(this, tr("Choose directory"), ui->systemDirectory->text());
-    ui->systemDirectory->setText(QDir::toNativeSeparators(directory));
+    if (!directory.isEmpty())
+        ui->systemDirectory->setText(QDir::toNativeSeparators(directory));
 }
 
 void