diff --git a/codepot/etc/pre-commit.in b/codepot/etc/pre-commit.in
index 1f132d78..8828a248 100644
--- a/codepot/etc/pre-commit.in
+++ b/codepot/etc/pre-commit.in
@@ -343,9 +343,22 @@ sub restrict_changes_in_directory
 		return -1;
 	}
 
-	my $root = $txn->root();
-	my $paths_changed = $root->paths_changed();
-	foreach my $affected_file(keys $paths_changed)
+	my $root = eval { $txn->root() };
+	if (!defined($root))
+	{
+		print (STDERR "Cannot open root of transaction - $TRANSACTION\n");
+		return -1;
+	}
+
+	my $paths_changed = eval { $root->paths_changed() };
+	if (!defined($paths_changed))
+	{
+		# no change information found. return ok
+		$root->close_root ();
+		return 0;
+	}
+
+	foreach my $affected_file(keys %$paths_changed)
 	{
 		my $chg = $paths_changed->{$affected_file};
 		my $action = $chg->change_kind();