--- a/src/core/src/main/java/org/apache/jmeter/gui/util/FileDialoger.java	
+++ a/src/core/src/main/java/org/apache/jmeter/gui/util/FileDialoger.java	
@@ -180,18 +180,16 @@ 
        } else {
            jfc.setFileSelectionMode(JFileChooser.FILES_ONLY);
        }
-       if(!StringUtils.isEmpty(existingFileName)) {
-           File existingFileStart = new File(existingFileName);
-           if(existingFileStart.exists() && existingFileStart.canRead()) {
-               jfc.setCurrentDirectory(new File(existingFileName));
-           }
-       }
-       else if (lastJFCDirectory == null) {
+       if (!StringUtils.isEmpty(existingFileName)) {
+           setCurrentDirOnJFC(existingFileName);
+       } else if (lastJFCDirectory == null) {
            String start = System.getProperty("user.dir", ""); //$NON-NLS-1$//$NON-NLS-2$
 
            if (start.length() > 0) {
-               jfc.setCurrentDirectory(new File(start));
+               setCurrentDirOnJFC(start);
            }
+       } else {
+           setCurrentDirOnJFC(lastJFCDirectory);
        }
        clearFileFilters();
        if(exts != null && exts.length > 0) {
@@ -200,10 +198,6 @@ 
            jfc.setAcceptAllFileFilterUsed(true);
            jfc.setFileFilter(currentFilter);
        }
-       if(lastJFCDirectory==null) {
-           lastJFCDirectory = System.getProperty("user.dir", ""); //$NON-NLS-1$//$NON-NLS-2$
-       }
-       jfc.setCurrentDirectory(new File(lastJFCDirectory));
        int retVal = jfc.showOpenDialog(parentComponent);
        lastJFCDirectory = jfc.getCurrentDirectory().getAbsolutePath();
 
@@ -213,6 +207,13 @@ 
        return null;
    }
 
+    private static void setCurrentDirOnJFC(String currentDirName) {
+        File currentDir = new File(currentDirName);
+        if (currentDir.exists() && currentDir.canRead()) {
+            jfc.setCurrentDirectory(currentDir);
+        }
+    }
+
     private static void clearFileFilters() {
         FileFilter[] filters = jfc.getChoosableFileFilters();
         for (FileFilter filter : filters) {