diff --git a/doc/changelog.txt b/doc/changelog.txt
index 3fb0d73a..cb160ae2 100644
--- a/doc/changelog.txt
+++ b/doc/changelog.txt
@@ -1,3 +1,10 @@
+8.4 "" (released xx.xx.2013)
+
+Fixes:
+- checking: Fix a crash when closing a Word document after scanning failed.
+  Closes: GH bug #369
+
+
 8.3 "Mahna Mahna Killer" (released 6.1.2013)
 
 Features:
diff --git a/linkcheck/checker/urlbase.py b/linkcheck/checker/urlbase.py
index 4390592a..8bd85657 100644
--- a/linkcheck/checker/urlbase.py
+++ b/linkcheck/checker/urlbase.py
@@ -1094,6 +1094,8 @@ class UrlBase (object):
             app = winutil.get_word_app()
             try:
                 doc = winutil.open_wordfile(app, filename)
+                if doc is None:
+                    raise winutil.Error("could not open word file %r" % filename)
                 try:
                     for link in doc.Hyperlinks:
                         self.add_url(link.Address, name=link.TextToDisplay)