diff --git a/library/Erfurt/Store.php b/library/Erfurt/Store.php
index dc3ccb5e..0fca5982 100644
--- a/library/Erfurt/Store.php
+++ b/library/Erfurt/Store.php
@@ -1131,6 +1131,13 @@ public function getModel($modelIri, $useAc = true)
      */
     public function getNewModel($modelIri, $baseIri = '', $type = Erfurt_Store::MODEL_TYPE_OWL, $useAc = true)
     {
+        //check if the $modelIri is a valid IRI
+        if (!Erfurt_Uri::check($modelIri)) {
+            $message = defined('_EFDEBUG')
+                     ? 'Failed creating the model. The chosen IRI is not valid.'
+                     : 'Failed creating the model.';
+            throw new Erfurt_Store_Exception($message);
+        }
         // check model availablity
         if ($this->isModelAvailable($modelIri, false)) {
             // if debug mode is enabled create a more detailed exception description. If debug mode is disabled the