diff --git a/launch/org.eclipse.cdt.docker.launcher/src/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/docker/launcher/ContainerLaunchConfigurationDelegate.java b/launch/org.eclipse.cdt.docker.launcher/src/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/docker/launcher/ContainerLaunchConfigurationDelegate.java
index a011e60ce16..42e3fce2c6b 100644
--- a/launch/org.eclipse.cdt.docker.launcher/src/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/docker/launcher/ContainerLaunchConfigurationDelegate.java
+++ b/launch/org.eclipse.cdt.docker.launcher/src/org/eclipse/cdt/internal/docker/launcher/ContainerLaunchConfigurationDelegate.java
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ import org.eclipse.cdt.core.build.ICBuildConfiguration;
 import org.eclipse.cdt.core.build.ICBuildConfigurationManager;
 import org.eclipse.cdt.core.build.IToolChain;
 import org.eclipse.cdt.core.build.IToolChainManager;
+import org.eclipse.cdt.core.model.CoreModel;
 import org.eclipse.cdt.core.model.IBinary;
 import org.eclipse.cdt.debug.core.CDebugCorePlugin;
 import org.eclipse.cdt.debug.core.ICDTLaunchConfigurationConstants;
@@ -582,9 +583,12 @@ public class ContainerLaunchConfigurationDelegate extends GdbLaunchDelegate impl
 			if (target != null) {
 				ICBuildConfiguration cconfig = getBuildConfiguration(configuration, mode, target, monitor);
 				if (cconfig != null) {
-					IProjectDescription desc = project.getDescription();
-					desc.setActiveBuildConfig(cconfig.getBuildConfiguration().getName());
-					project.setDescription(desc, monitor);
+					CoreModel model = CoreModel.getDefault();
+					synchronized (model) {
+						IProjectDescription desc = project.getDescription();
+						desc.setActiveBuildConfig(cconfig.getBuildConfiguration().getName());
+						project.setDescription(desc, monitor);
+					}
 				}
 			}
 		}