diff --git a/everyvoice/tests/data/empty.psv b/everyvoice/tests/data/empty.psv
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e69de29b
diff --git a/everyvoice/tests/test_wizard.py b/everyvoice/tests/test_wizard.py
index 44b2cad3..aa0dd229 100644
--- a/everyvoice/tests/test_wizard.py
+++ b/everyvoice/tests/test_wizard.py
@@ -553,6 +553,28 @@ def test_dataset_subtour(self):
         self.assertEqual(len(symbol_set_step.state[SN.symbol_set_step.value]), 2)
         self.assertIn("t͡s", symbol_set_step.state[SN.symbol_set_step.value]["phones"])
 
+    def test_empty_filelist(self):
+        tour = Tour(
+            name="empty filelist",
+            steps=[
+                dataset.FilelistStep(),
+                dataset.FilelistFormatStep(),
+            ],
+        )
+        filelist = str(self.data_dir / "empty.psv")
+
+        filelist_step = tour.steps[0]
+        with monkeypatch(filelist_step, "prompt", Say(filelist)):
+            filelist_step.run()
+
+        format_step = tour.steps[1]
+        with self.assertRaises(SystemExit) as cm:
+            with patch_menu_prompt(1) as stdout:
+                format_step.run()
+            output = stdout.getvalue()
+            self.assertIn("is empty", output)
+        self.assertEqual(cm.exception.code, 1)
+
     def test_wrong_fileformat_psv(self):
         tour = Tour(
             name="mismatched fileformat",
diff --git a/everyvoice/wizard/dataset.py b/everyvoice/wizard/dataset.py
index 94a67281..baae2c21 100644
--- a/everyvoice/wizard/dataset.py
+++ b/everyvoice/wizard/dataset.py
@@ -178,9 +178,7 @@ def looks_like_sv(self, file_type, separator) -> bool:
         if len(initial_records) > 0:
             column_count = len(initial_records[0])
         else:
-            print(
-                f"ERROR: The filelist you specify ({filelist_path}) is empty. Please double check."
-            )
+            print(f"ERROR: File ({filelist_path} is empty. Please double check.")
             sys.exit(1)
 
         if column_count < 2: