Wrong type argument: stringp, nil

[Seth B Schapiro ;011;wsen1;]

When I try to open a file with no extension such as ".emacs" or a file
with the ".txt" extension, I receive the error message "Wrong type
argument: stringp, nil

If I open an emacs buffer, and select "File -> Open File" this problem
is no longer apparent.  This issue began when a file had to be
recovered that was being edited within vi.

Please let me know via email to "sbs1947@rit.edu" what can be done to
correct this problem

- Seth