diff --git a/gns3server/controller/__init__.py b/gns3server/controller/__init__.py
index b665529e..9bc7f6b6 100644
--- a/gns3server/controller/__init__.py
+++ b/gns3server/controller/__init__.py
@@ -217,7 +217,10 @@ class Controller:
         topo_data.pop("revision")
         topo_data.pop("type")
 
-        project = yield from self.add_project(path=os.path.dirname(path), status="closed", filename=os.path.basename(path), **topo_data)
+        if topo_data["project_id"] in self._projects:
+            project = self._projects[topo_data["project_id"]]
+        else:
+            project = yield from self.add_project(path=os.path.dirname(path), status="closed", filename=os.path.basename(path), **topo_data)
         if load:
             yield from project.open()
         return project
diff --git a/gns3server/controller/project.py b/gns3server/controller/project.py
index 1dc2efdb..92a50c35 100644
--- a/gns3server/controller/project.py
+++ b/gns3server/controller/project.py
@@ -337,6 +337,9 @@ class Project:
         """
         Load topology elements
         """
+        if self._status == "opened":
+            return
+
         self.reset()
         path = self._topology_file()
         if os.path.exists(path):
diff --git a/tests/conftest.py b/tests/conftest.py
index d9703cee..7231ae27 100644
--- a/tests/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/conftest.py
@@ -242,6 +242,16 @@ def images_dir(config):
     return path
 
 
+@pytest.fixture
+def projects_dir(config):
+    """
+    Get the location of images
+    """
+    path = config.get_section_config("Server").get("projects_path")
+    os.makedirs(path, exist_ok=True)
+    return path
+
+
 @pytest.yield_fixture
 def darwin_platform():
     """
diff --git a/tests/controller/test_controller.py b/tests/controller/test_controller.py
index 34caa19c..6010280f 100644
--- a/tests/controller/test_controller.py
+++ b/tests/controller/test_controller.py
@@ -68,6 +68,17 @@ def test_load(controller, controller_config_path, async_run):
     }
 
 
+def test_load_projects(controller, projects_dir, async_run):
+    controller.save()
+
+    os.makedirs(os.path.join(projects_dir, "project1"))
+    with open(os.path.join(projects_dir, "project1", "project1.gns3"), "w+") as f:
+        f.write("")
+    with asyncio_patch("gns3server.controller.Controller.load_project") as mock_load_project:
+        async_run(controller.load())
+    mock_load_project.assert_called_with(os.path.join(projects_dir, "project1", "project1.gns3"), load=False)
+
+
 def test_isEnabled(controller):
     Config.instance().set("Server", "controller", False)
     assert not controller.is_enabled()
@@ -254,3 +265,9 @@ def test_load_project(controller, async_run, tmpdir):
 
     node1 = project.get_node("50d66d7b-0dd7-4e9f-b720-6eb621ae6543")
     assert node1.name == "PC1"
+
+    # Reload the same project should do nothing
+    with asyncio_patch("gns3server.controller.Controller.add_project") as mock_add_project:
+        project = async_run(controller.load_project(str(tmpdir / "test.gns3")))
+    assert not mock_add_project.called
+