diff --git a/gtk-gui.c b/gtk-gui.c
index 2ad2cb60e..85366621f 100644
--- a/gtk-gui.c
+++ b/gtk-gui.c
@@ -274,7 +274,8 @@ static void file_open(GtkWidget *w, gpointer data)
 		GTK_STOCK_CANCEL, GTK_RESPONSE_CANCEL,
 		GTK_STOCK_OPEN, GTK_RESPONSE_ACCEPT,
 		NULL);
-	gtk_file_chooser_set_select_multiple(GTK_FILE_CHOOSER(dialog), TRUE);
+	/* when opening the data file we should allow only one file to be chosen */
+	gtk_file_chooser_set_select_multiple(GTK_FILE_CHOOSER(dialog), FALSE);
 
 	filter = gtk_file_filter_new();
 	gtk_file_filter_add_pattern(filter, "*.xml");