diff --git a/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/csv/operator.py b/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/csv/operator.py
index 480dae7458..4fc31ae91f 100644
--- a/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/csv/operator.py
+++ b/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/csv/operator.py
@@ -183,6 +183,14 @@ class ExportIfcCsv(bpy.types.Operator):
     filename_ext = ".csv"
     filepath: bpy.props.StringProperty(subtype="FILE_PATH")
 
+    @classmethod
+    def poll(cls, context):
+        props = context.scene.CsvProperties
+        if not props.should_load_from_memory and not props.csv_ifc_file:
+            cls.poll_message_set("Select an IFC file or use 'load from memory' if it's loaded in Bonsai.")
+            return False
+        return True
+
     def invoke(self, context, event):
         props = context.scene.CsvProperties
         if props.format == "web":
@@ -268,6 +276,14 @@ class ImportIfcCsv(bpy.types.Operator):
     filter_glob: bpy.props.StringProperty(default="*.csv;*.ods;*.xlsx", options={"HIDDEN"})
     filepath: bpy.props.StringProperty(subtype="FILE_PATH")
 
+    @classmethod
+    def poll(cls, context):
+        props = context.scene.CsvProperties
+        if not props.should_load_from_memory and not props.csv_ifc_file:
+            cls.poll_message_set("Select an IFC file or use 'load from memory' if it's loaded in Bonsai.")
+            return False
+        return True
+
     def invoke(self, context, event):
         self.filepath = bpy.path.ensure_ext(bpy.data.filepath, ".csv")
         WindowManager = context.window_manager
diff --git a/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/fm/operator.py b/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/fm/operator.py
index cd9a8559f0..a7c4906325 100644
--- a/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/fm/operator.py
+++ b/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/fm/operator.py
@@ -36,7 +36,10 @@ class ExecuteIfcFM(bpy.types.Operator):
     @classmethod
     def poll(cls, context):
         props = context.scene.BIMFMProperties
-        return props.should_load_from_memory or props.ifc_files.single_file
+        if not props.should_load_from_memory and not props.ifc_files.single_file:
+            cls.poll_message_set("Select an IFC file or use 'load from memory' if it's loaded in Bonsai.")
+            return False
+        return True
 
     def invoke(self, context, event):
         props = context.scene.BIMFMProperties
diff --git a/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/light/operator.py b/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/light/operator.py
index ff6dbf71b5..7ad7a5da55 100644
--- a/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/light/operator.py
+++ b/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/light/operator.py
@@ -54,8 +54,15 @@ class ExportOBJ(bpy.types.Operator):
     bl_label = "Export"
     bl_description = "Export the IFC to OBJ"
 
-    def execute(self, context):
+    @classmethod
+    def poll(cls, context):
+        props = context.scene.radiance_exporter_properties
+        if not props.should_load_from_memory and not props.ifc_file:
+            cls.poll_message_set("Select an IFC file or use 'load from memory' if it's loaded in Bonsai.")
+            return False
+        return True
 
+    def execute(self, context):
         # Get the output directory
         should_load_from_memory = context.scene.radiance_exporter_properties.should_load_from_memory
         output_dir = context.scene.radiance_exporter_properties.output_dir
diff --git a/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/patch/operator.py b/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/patch/operator.py
index 60876c4d4d..cdec1a8b73 100644
--- a/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/patch/operator.py
+++ b/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/patch/operator.py
@@ -70,8 +70,11 @@ class ExecuteIfcPatch(bpy.types.Operator):
 
     @classmethod
     def poll(cls, context):
-        input_file = context.scene.BIMPatchProperties.ifc_patch_input
-        return input_file or context.scene.BIMPatchProperties.should_load_from_memory
+        props = context.scene.BIMPatchProperties
+        if not props.should_load_from_memory and not props.ifc_patch_input:
+            cls.poll_message_set("Select an IFC file or use 'load from memory' if it's loaded in Bonsai.")
+            return False
+        return True
 
     def execute(self, context):
         props = context.scene.BIMPatchProperties
diff --git a/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/tester/operator.py b/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/tester/operator.py
index 50c710accb..cd466bc377 100644
--- a/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/tester/operator.py
+++ b/src/bonsai/bonsai/bim/module/tester/operator.py
@@ -37,7 +37,12 @@ class ExecuteIfcTester(bpy.types.Operator, tool.Ifc.Operator):
     @classmethod
     def poll(cls, context):
         props = context.scene.IfcTesterProperties
-        return (props.ifc_files.single_file or props.should_load_from_memory) and props.specs
+        if not props.should_load_from_memory and not props.ifc_files.single_file:
+            cls.poll_message_set("Select an IFC file or use 'load from memory' if it's loaded in Bonsai.")
+            return False
+        if not props.specs:
+            return False
+        return True
 
     def execute(self, context):
         props = context.scene.IfcTesterProperties