diff --git a/addons/base_import/models.py b/addons/base_import/models.py
index 7cbd0d79e09..ae9ba9ec1eb 100644
--- a/addons/base_import/models.py
+++ b/addons/base_import/models.py
@@ -158,16 +158,26 @@ class ir_import(orm.TransientModel):
         return fields
 
     def _read_file(self, file_type, record, options):
+        # try reading with user-provided mimetype
         (file_extension, handler, req) = FILE_TYPE_DICT.get(file_type, (None, None, None))
         if handler:
-            return getattr(self, '_read_' + file_extension)(record, options)
+            try:
+                return getattr(self, '_read_' + file_extension)(record, options)
+            except Exception:
+                _logger.warn("Failed to read file '%s' (transient id %d) using user-provided mimetype %s",
+                             record.file_name or '<unknown>', record.id, file_type)
+
         # fallback on file extensions as mime types can be unreliable (e.g.
         # software setting incorrect mime types, or non-installed software
         # leading to browser not sending mime types)
         if record.file_name:
             p, ext = os.path.splitext(record.file_name)
-            if ext and EXTENSIONS.get(ext):
-                return getattr(self, '_read_' + ext[1:])(record, options)
+            if ext in EXTENSIONS:
+                try:
+                    return getattr(self, '_read_' + ext[1:])(record, options)
+                except Exception:
+                    _logger.warn("Failed to read file '%s' (transient id %s) using file extension",
+                                 record.file_name, record.id)
 
         if req:
             raise ImportError(_("Unable to load \"{extension}\" file: requires Python module \"{modname}\"").format(extension=file_extension, modname=req))
diff --git a/addons/base_import/tests/test_cases.py b/addons/base_import/tests/test_cases.py
index bd9feafb9ab..5a8ad70402b 100644
--- a/addons/base_import/tests/test_cases.py
+++ b/addons/base_import/tests/test_cases.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import unittest
 
 from openerp.tests.common import TransactionCase, can_import
 from openerp.modules.module import get_module_resource
-
+from openerp.tools import mute_logger
 
 from .. import models
 
@@ -197,6 +197,7 @@ class test_preview(TransactionCase):
         })
         return Import, id
 
+    @mute_logger('openerp.addons.base_import.models')
     def test_encoding(self):
         Import, id = self.make_import()
         result = Import.parse_preview(self.cr, self.uid, id, {
@@ -205,6 +206,7 @@ class test_preview(TransactionCase):
         })
         self.assertTrue('error' in result)
 
+    @mute_logger('openerp.addons.base_import.models')
     def test_csv_errors(self):
         Import, id = self.make_import()