diff --git a/openpype/hosts/nuke/api/workio.py b/openpype/hosts/nuke/api/workio.py
index 8d29e0441f..50bd9d6dec 100644
--- a/openpype/hosts/nuke/api/workio.py
+++ b/openpype/hosts/nuke/api/workio.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 """Host API required Work Files tool"""
 import os
 import nuke
+import shutil
 from .utils import is_headless
 
 
@@ -21,21 +22,40 @@ def save_file(filepath):
 
 
 def open_file(filepath):
+
+    def read_script(nuke_script):
+        nuke.scriptClear()
+        if int(nuke.NUKE_VERSION_MAJOR) > 12:
+            nuke.scriptReadFile(nuke_script)
+        else:
+            nuke.scriptOpen(nuke_script)
+        nuke.Root()["name"].setValue(nuke_script)
+        nuke.Root()["project_directory"].setValue(os.path.dirname(nuke_script))
+        nuke.Root().setModified(False)
+
     filepath = filepath.replace("\\", "/")
 
     # To remain in the same window, we have to clear the script and read
     # in the contents of the workfile.
-    nuke.scriptClear()
+    # Nuke Preferences can be read after the script is read.
+    read_script(filepath)
+
     if not is_headless():
         autosave = nuke.toNode("preferences")["AutoSaveName"].evaluate()
-        autosave_prmpt = "Autosave detected.\nWould you like to load the autosave file?"       # noqa
+        autosave_prmpt = "Autosave detected.\n" \
+                         "Would you like to load the autosave file?"  # noqa
         if os.path.isfile(autosave) and nuke.ask(autosave_prmpt):
-            filepath = autosave
+            try:
+                # Overwrite the filepath with autosave
+                shutil.copy(autosave, filepath)
+                # Now read the (auto-saved) script again
+                read_script(filepath)
+            except shutil.Error as err:
+                nuke.message(
+                    "Detected autosave file could not be used.\n{}"
+
+                    .format(err))
 
-    nuke.scriptReadFile(filepath)
-    nuke.Root()["name"].setValue(filepath)
-    nuke.Root()["project_directory"].setValue(os.path.dirname(filepath))
-    nuke.Root().setModified(False)
     return True