diff --git a/src/Mod/PartDesign/Gui/TaskHelixParameters.cpp b/src/Mod/PartDesign/Gui/TaskHelixParameters.cpp
index 21e30da82b..dd8defbca9 100644
--- a/src/Mod/PartDesign/Gui/TaskHelixParameters.cpp
+++ b/src/Mod/PartDesign/Gui/TaskHelixParameters.cpp
@@ -281,6 +281,9 @@ void TaskHelixParameters::updateStatus()
         else
             status = "";
     }
+    // if the helix touches itself along a single helical edge we get this error
+    else if (status.compare("NCollection_IndexedDataMap::FindFromKey") == 0)
+        status = "Error: helix touches itself";
     ui->labelMessage->setText(QString::fromUtf8(status.c_str()));
 }