diff --git a/data/language/english_uk.txt b/data/language/english_uk.txt
index c577655013..2602d64900 100644
--- a/data/language/english_uk.txt
+++ b/data/language/english_uk.txt
@@ -3899,6 +3899,7 @@ STR_5557    :Stay connected after desynchronisation (Multiplayer)
 STR_5558    :A restart is required for this setting to take effect
 STR_5559    :10 min. inspections
 STR_5560    :{SMALLFONT}{BLACK}Sets the inspection time to 'Every 10 minutes' on all rides
+STR_5561    :Failed to load language file
 
 
 #####################
diff --git a/src/localisation/string_ids.h b/src/localisation/string_ids.h
index 168aa09046..3e8cc5070d 100644
--- a/src/localisation/string_ids.h
+++ b/src/localisation/string_ids.h
@@ -2146,6 +2146,7 @@ enum {
 	STR_STAY_CONNECTED_AFTER_DESYNC = 5557,
 
     STR_RESTART_REQUIRED = 5558,
+    STR_LANGUAGE_LOAD_FAILED = 5561,
 
 
 	// Have to include resource strings (from scenarios and objects) for the time being now that language is partially working
diff --git a/src/openrct2.c b/src/openrct2.c
index b1ccd332f2..64e4e71579 100644
--- a/src/openrct2.c
+++ b/src/openrct2.c
@@ -225,7 +225,11 @@ bool openrct2_initialise()
 		audio_init();
 		audio_get_devices();
 	}
-	language_open(gConfigGeneral.language);
+	if (!language_open(gConfigGeneral.language))
+	{
+		log_fatal("Failed to open language, exiting.");
+		return false;
+	}
 	http_init();
 
 	themes_set_default();
diff --git a/src/windows/options.c b/src/windows/options.c
index ed8230929c..98c76ca241 100644
--- a/src/windows/options.c
+++ b/src/windows/options.c
@@ -1010,11 +1010,27 @@ static void window_options_dropdown(rct_window *w, int widgetIndex, int dropdown
 			}
 			break;
 		case WIDX_LANGUAGE_DROPDOWN:
-			if (dropdownIndex != gCurrentLanguage - 1) {
-				language_open(dropdownIndex + 1);
-				gConfigGeneral.language = dropdownIndex + 1;
-				config_save_default();
-				gfx_invalidate_screen();
+			{
+				int fallbackLanguage = gCurrentLanguage;
+				if (dropdownIndex != gCurrentLanguage - 1) {
+					if (!language_open(dropdownIndex + 1))
+					{
+						// Failed to open language file, try to recover by falling
+						// back to previously used language
+						if (language_open(fallbackLanguage))
+						{
+							// It worked, so we can say it with error message in-game
+							window_error_open(STR_LANGUAGE_LOAD_FAILED, STR_NONE);
+						}
+						// report error to console regardless
+						log_error("Failed to open language file.");
+						dropdownIndex = fallbackLanguage - 1;
+					} else {
+						gConfigGeneral.language = dropdownIndex + 1;
+						config_save_default();
+						gfx_invalidate_screen();
+					}
+				}
 			}
 			break;
 		case WIDX_DATE_FORMAT_DROPDOWN: