diff --git a/rowers/dataprep.py b/rowers/dataprep.py
index dff4237d..3874fa3f 100644
--- a/rowers/dataprep.py
+++ b/rowers/dataprep.py
@@ -72,6 +72,7 @@ import pandas as pd
 import numpy as np
 import itertools
 from fitparse import FitFile
+from fitparse.base import FitHeaderError
 import math
 from rowers.tasks import (
     handle_sendemail_unrecognized, handle_sendemail_breakthrough,
@@ -1586,7 +1587,11 @@ def handle_nonpainsled(f2, fileformat, summary=''):
 # Currently there is code duplication
 
 def get_workouttype_from_fit(filename,workouttype='water'):
-    fitfile = FitFile(filename,check_crc=False)
+    try:
+        fitfile = FitFile(filename,check_crc=False)
+    except FitHeaderError:
+        return workouttype
+
     records = fitfile.messages
     fittype = 'rowing'
     for record in records: