diff --git a/lisp/log-view.el b/lisp/log-view.el
index a904a0355dd..2ca52443979 100644
--- a/lisp/log-view.el
+++ b/lisp/log-view.el
@@ -214,7 +214,8 @@ The match group number 1 should match the revision number itself.")
   (save-excursion
     (forward-line 1)
     (or (re-search-backward log-view-file-re nil t)
-	(re-search-forward log-view-file-re))
+	(re-search-forward log-view-file-re nil t)
+	(error "Unable to determine the current file")
     (let* ((file (match-string 1))
 	   (cvsdir (and (re-search-backward log-view-dir-re nil t)
 			(match-string 1)))