@@ -1888,11 +1888,16 @@
 	     (run-id    (assoc/default 'run-id    cmdinfo))
 	     (test-id   (assoc/default 'test-id   cmdinfo))
 	     (itemdat   (assoc/default 'itemdat   cmdinfo))
 	     (work-area (assoc/default 'work-area cmdinfo))
 	     (db        #f))
-	(change-directory testpath)
+	(handle-exceptions
+	 exn
+	 (begin
+	   (debug:print 0 *default-log-port* "ERROR: the work directory " testpath " has disappeared or become unreadable! Cannot proceed, exiting now.")
+	   (exit 1))
+	 (change-directory testpath))
 	(if (not (launch:setup))
 	    (begin
 	      (debug:print 0 *default-log-port* "Failed to setup, exiting")
 	      (exit 1)))
 	(if (and state status)