diff --git a/spyder/plugins/ipythonconsole/widgets/main_widget.py b/spyder/plugins/ipythonconsole/widgets/main_widget.py
index 974eaf454b4..1559ff37cf5 100644
--- a/spyder/plugins/ipythonconsole/widgets/main_widget.py
+++ b/spyder/plugins/ipythonconsole/widgets/main_widget.py
@@ -1851,9 +1851,10 @@ def create_client_for_file(self, filename, is_cython=False):
         self.master_clients -= 1
 
         # Rename client tab with filename
-        client.allow_rename = False
-        tab_text = self.disambiguate_fname(filename)
-        self.rename_client_tab(client, tab_text)
+        if client is not None:
+            client.allow_rename = False
+            tab_text = self.disambiguate_fname(filename)
+            self.rename_client_tab(client, tab_text)
 
         return client