diff --git a/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/__init__.py b/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/__init__.py
index adb2f585d..73882917b 100644
--- a/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/__init__.py
+++ b/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/__init__.py
@@ -584,7 +584,7 @@ def strip_rtf(text, default_encoding=None):
                         if encoding:
                             out.append(chr(charcode).decode(encoding))
                         else:
-                            raise Exception(u'user_canceled')
+                            return None
                     except UnicodeDecodeError:
                         failed = True
                     else:
diff --git a/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/ewimport.py b/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/ewimport.py
index e839a6354..f462b102b 100644
--- a/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/ewimport.py
+++ b/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/ewimport.py
@@ -180,13 +180,10 @@ class EasyWorshipSongImport(SongImport):
                         self.addAuthor(author_name.strip())
                 if words:
                     # Format the lyrics
-                    try:
-                        words, self.encoding = strip_rtf(words, self.encoding)
-                    except Exception as info:
-                        if unicode(info) == u'user_canceled':
-                            return
-                        else:
-                            raise
+                    words = strip_rtf(words, self.encoding)
+                    if words is None:
+                        return
+                    words, self.encoding = words
                     verse_type = VerseType.Tags[VerseType.Verse]
                     for verse in SLIDE_BREAK_REGEX.split(words):
                         verse = verse.strip()
diff --git a/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/songproimport.py b/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/songproimport.py
index ca34a4bd0..928ce85ec 100644
--- a/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/songproimport.py
+++ b/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/songproimport.py
@@ -109,14 +109,11 @@ class SongProImport(SongImport):
             self.finish()
             return
         if u'rtf1' in text:
-            try:
-                text, self.encoding = strip_rtf(text, self.encoding)
-                text = text.rstrip()
-            except Exception as info:
-                if unicode(info) == u'user_canceled':
-                    return
-                else:
-                    raise
+            text = strip_rtf(text, self.encoding)
+            if text is None:
+                return
+            text, self.encoding = text
+            text = text.rstrip()
         if not text:
             return
         if tag == u'A':
diff --git a/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/sundayplusimport.py b/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/sundayplusimport.py
index 8d7330411..c514d4014 100644
--- a/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/sundayplusimport.py
+++ b/openlp/plugins/songs/lib/sundayplusimport.py
@@ -150,14 +150,11 @@ class SundayPlusImport(SongImport):
                             verse_type = HOTKEY_TO_VERSE_TYPE[value]
                     if name == 'rtf':
                         value = self.unescape(value)
-                        try:
-                            verse, self.encoding = strip_rtf(value, self.encoding)
-                            lines = verse.strip().split('\n')
-                        except Exception as info:
-                            if unicode(info) == u'user_canceled':
-                                return
-                            else:
-                                raise
+                        verse = strip_rtf(value, self.encoding)
+                        if verse is None:
+                            return
+                        verse, self.encoding = verse
+                        lines = verse.strip().split('\n')
                         # If any line inside any verse contains CCLI or
                         # only Public Domain, we treat this as special data:
                         # we remove that line and add data to specific field.