diff --git a/client/ayon_core/hosts/hiero/api/workio.py b/client/ayon_core/hosts/hiero/api/workio.py
index 9d8b1777e7..c7b749a9dd 100644
--- a/client/ayon_core/hosts/hiero/api/workio.py
+++ b/client/ayon_core/hosts/hiero/api/workio.py
@@ -56,8 +56,11 @@ def open_file(filepath):
 
     # Close previous project if its different to the current project.
     if project.path() != filepath:
+        # open project file
+        hiero.core.openProject(filepath.replace(os.path.sep, "/"))
         project.close()
 
+
     return True