diff --git a/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core/model/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/core/model/TranslationUnit.java b/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core/model/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/core/model/TranslationUnit.java
index 39b41a113a7..98d92175332 100644
--- a/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core/model/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/core/model/TranslationUnit.java
+++ b/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core/model/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/core/model/TranslationUnit.java
@@ -573,6 +573,17 @@ public class TranslationUnit extends Openable implements ITranslationUnit {
 		String lid = type.getLanguage().getId();
 		return lid != null && lid.equals(ICFileTypeConstants.LANG_ASM);
 	}
+	
+	
+	/* (non-Javadoc)
+	 * @see org.eclipse.cdt.core.model.ICElement#exists()
+	 */
+	public boolean exists() {
+		IResource res = getResource();
+		if (res != null)
+			return res.exists();
+		return super.exists();
+	}
 
 	
 }