diff --git a/syncthingconnector/syncthingconnection.h b/syncthingconnector/syncthingconnection.h
index 1fb6ef6..f527d71 100644
--- a/syncthingconnector/syncthingconnection.h
+++ b/syncthingconnector/syncthingconnection.h
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ enum class SyncthingItemType { Unknown, File, Directory };
 
 struct LIB_SYNCTHING_CONNECTOR_EXPORT SyncthingItem {
     QString name;
-    CppUtilities::DateTime modificationTime;
+    CppUtilities::DateTime modificationTime = CppUtilities::DateTime();
     std::size_t size = std::size_t();
     SyncthingItemType type = SyncthingItemType::Unknown;
     std::vector<SyncthingItem> children;
@@ -254,7 +254,7 @@ public Q_SLOTS:
 public:
     // methods to GET or POST information from/to Syncthing (non-slots)
     QMetaObject::Connection browse(
-        const QString &dirId, const QString &prefix, int level, std::function<void(std::vector<SyncthingItem> &&)> &&callback);
+        const QString &dirId, const QString &prefix, int level, std::function<void(std::vector<SyncthingItem> &&, QString &&error)> &&callback);
 
 Q_SIGNALS:
     void newConfig(const QJsonObject &rawConfig);
@@ -369,7 +369,7 @@ private Q_SLOTS:
 
 private:
     // handler to evaluate results from request...() methods
-    void readBrowse(const QString &dirId, int levels, std::function<void(std::vector<SyncthingItem> &&)> &&callback);
+    void readBrowse(const QString &dirId, int levels, std::function<void (std::vector<SyncthingItem> &&, QString &&)> &&callback);
 
     // internal helper methods
     struct Reply {
diff --git a/syncthingconnector/syncthingconnection_requests.cpp b/syncthingconnector/syncthingconnection_requests.cpp
index 5097c73..fa87090 100644
--- a/syncthingconnector/syncthingconnection_requests.cpp
+++ b/syncthingconnector/syncthingconnection_requests.cpp
@@ -1590,8 +1590,7 @@ void SyncthingConnection::readRevert()
  * consume results of a specific request. Errors are still reported via the error() signal so there's no extra error handling
  * required. Note that \a callback is *not* invoked in the error case.
  */
-QMetaObject::Connection SyncthingConnection::browse(
-    const QString &dirId, const QString &prefix, int levels, std::function<void(std::vector<SyncthingItem> &&)> &&callback)
+QMetaObject::Connection SyncthingConnection::browse(const QString &dirId, const QString &prefix, int levels, std::function<void (std::vector<SyncthingItem> &&, QString &&)> &&callback)
 {
     auto query = QUrlQuery();
     query.addQueryItem(QStringLiteral("folder"), formatQueryItem(dirId));
@@ -1643,9 +1642,10 @@ static void readSyncthingItems(const QJsonArray &array, std::vector<SyncthingIte
 /// \endcond
 
 /*!
- * \brief Reads the response of browse() and reports results via the specified \a callback or emits error() in case of an error.
+ * \brief Reads the response of browse() and reports results via the specified \a callback. Emits error() in case of an error.
+ * \remarks The \a callback is also emitted in the error case (with the error message as second parameter and an empty list of items).
  */
-void SyncthingConnection::readBrowse(const QString &dirId, int levels, std::function<void(std::vector<SyncthingItem> &&)> &&callback)
+void SyncthingConnection::readBrowse(const QString &dirId, int levels, std::function<void (std::vector<SyncthingItem> &&, QString &&)> &&callback)
 {
     auto const [reply, response] = prepareReply();
     if (!reply) {
@@ -1657,18 +1657,25 @@ void SyncthingConnection::readBrowse(const QString &dirId, int levels, std::func
         auto jsonError = QJsonParseError();
         const auto replyDoc = QJsonDocument::fromJson(response, &jsonError);
         if (jsonError.error != QJsonParseError::NoError) {
-            emit error(tr("Unable to parse response for browsing \"%1\": ").arg(dirId) + jsonError.errorString(), SyncthingErrorCategory::Parsing,
-                QNetworkReply::NoError);
+            auto errorMessage = tr("Unable to parse response for browsing \"%1\": ").arg(dirId) + jsonError.errorString();
+            emit error(errorMessage, SyncthingErrorCategory::Parsing, QNetworkReply::NoError);
+            if (callback) {
+                callback(std::move(items), std::move(errorMessage));
+            }
             return;
         }
         readSyncthingItems(replyDoc.array(), items, 0, levels);
         if (callback) {
-            callback(std::move(items));
+            callback(std::move(items), QString());
         }
         break;
     }
     default:
-        emitError(tr("Unable to browse \"%1\": ").arg(dirId), SyncthingErrorCategory::SpecificRequest, reply);
+        auto errorMessage = tr("Unable to browse \"%1\": ").arg(dirId);
+        emitError(errorMessage, SyncthingErrorCategory::SpecificRequest, reply);
+        if (callback) {
+            callback(std::move(items), std::move(errorMessage));
+        }
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/syncthingmodel/syncthingfilemodel.cpp b/syncthingmodel/syncthingfilemodel.cpp
index 566b732..303c0bc 100644
--- a/syncthingmodel/syncthingfilemodel.cpp
+++ b/syncthingmodel/syncthingfilemodel.cpp
@@ -8,20 +8,25 @@
 
 #include <QStringBuilder>
 
+#include <iostream>
+
 using namespace std;
 using namespace CppUtilities;
 
 namespace Data {
 
-SyncthingFileModel::SyncthingFileModel(SyncthingConnection &connection, const QString &dirId, QObject *parent)
+SyncthingFileModel::SyncthingFileModel(SyncthingConnection &connection, const SyncthingDir &dir, QObject *parent)
     : SyncthingModel(connection, parent)
     , m_connection(connection)
-    , m_dirId(dirId)
+    , m_dirId(dir.id)
+    , m_root({ .name = dir.displayName(), .modificationTime = dir.lastFileTime, .size = dir.globalStats.bytes, .type = SyncthingItemType::Directory })
 {
-    m_connection.browse(m_dirId, QString(), 1, [this](std::vector<SyncthingItem> &&items) {
+    m_connection.browse(m_dirId, QString(), 1, [this](std::vector<SyncthingItem> &&items, QString &&errorMessage) {
+        Q_UNUSED(errorMessage)
         const auto last = items.size() - 1;
-        beginInsertRows(QModelIndex(), 0, last < std::numeric_limits<int>::max() ? static_cast<int>(last) : std::numeric_limits<int>::max());
-        m_items = std::move(items);
+        beginInsertRows(index(0, 0), 0, last < std::numeric_limits<int>::max() ? static_cast<int>(last) : std::numeric_limits<int>::max());
+        m_root.children = std::move(items);
+        m_root.childrenPopulated = true;
         endInsertRows();
     });
 }
@@ -49,15 +54,13 @@ QModelIndex SyncthingFileModel::index(int row, int column, const QModelIndex &pa
     if (row < 0 || column < 0 || column > 2) {
         return QModelIndex();
     }
-
     if (!parent.isValid()) {
-        if (static_cast<std::size_t>(row) >= m_items.size()) {
-            return QModelIndex();
-        }
-        return createIndex(row, column, &m_items[static_cast<std::size_t>(row)]);
+        return static_cast<std::size_t>(row) ? QModelIndex() : createIndex(row, column, &m_root);
     }
-
     auto *const parentItem = reinterpret_cast<SyncthingItem *>(parent.internalPointer());
+    if (!parentItem) {
+        return QModelIndex();
+    }
     auto &items = parentItem->children;
     if (static_cast<std::size_t>(row) >= items.size()) {
         return QModelIndex();
@@ -67,6 +70,30 @@ QModelIndex SyncthingFileModel::index(int row, int column, const QModelIndex &pa
     return createIndex(row, column, &item);
 }
 
+QModelIndex SyncthingFileModel::index(const QString &path) const
+{
+    auto parts = path.split(QChar('/'), Qt::SkipEmptyParts);
+    auto res = index(0, 0);
+    auto *parent = &m_root;
+    for (const auto &part : parts) {
+        auto foundPart = false;
+        for (const auto &child : parent->children) {
+            if (child.name == part) {
+                parent = &child;
+                res = index(static_cast<int>(child.index), 0, res);
+                foundPart = true;
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+        if (!foundPart) {
+            res = QModelIndex();
+            return res;
+        }
+    }
+    std::cerr << "index for path " << path.toStdString() << ": " << this->path(res).toStdString() << '\n';
+    return res;
+}
+
 QString SyncthingFileModel::path(const QModelIndex &index) const
 {
     auto res = QString();
@@ -77,6 +104,10 @@ QString SyncthingFileModel::path(const QModelIndex &index) const
     auto size = QString::size_type();
     parts.reserve(reinterpret_cast<SyncthingItem *>(index.internalPointer())->level + 1);
     for (auto i = index; i.isValid(); i = i.parent()) {
+        const auto *const item = reinterpret_cast<SyncthingItem *>(i.internalPointer());
+        if (item == &m_root) {
+            break;
+        }
         parts.append(reinterpret_cast<SyncthingItem *>(i.internalPointer())->name);
         size += parts.back().size();
     }
@@ -94,10 +125,10 @@ QModelIndex SyncthingFileModel::parent(const QModelIndex &child) const
         return QModelIndex();
     }
     auto *const childItem = reinterpret_cast<SyncthingItem *>(child.internalPointer());
-    if (!childItem->parent) {
+    if (!childItem) {
         return QModelIndex();
     }
-    return createIndex(static_cast<int>(childItem->index), 0, childItem->parent);
+    return !childItem->parent ? QModelIndex() : createIndex(static_cast<int>(childItem->index), 0, childItem->parent);
 }
 
 QVariant SyncthingFileModel::headerData(int section, Qt::Orientation orientation, int role) const
@@ -192,7 +223,7 @@ int SyncthingFileModel::rowCount(const QModelIndex &parent) const
 {
     auto res = std::size_t();
     if (!parent.isValid()) {
-        res = m_items.size();
+        res = 1;
     } else {
         auto *const parentItem = reinterpret_cast<SyncthingItem *>(parent.internalPointer());
         res = parentItem->childrenPopulated || parentItem->type != SyncthingItemType::Directory ? parentItem->children.size() : 1;
@@ -230,7 +261,7 @@ void SyncthingFileModel::fetchMore(const QModelIndex &parent)
     if (!parent.isValid()) {
         return;
     }
-    m_fetchQueue.append(parent);
+    m_fetchQueue.append(path(parent));
     if (m_fetchQueue.size() == 1) {
         processFetchQueue();
     }
@@ -261,19 +292,32 @@ void SyncthingFileModel::processFetchQueue()
     if (m_fetchQueue.isEmpty()) {
         return;
     }
-    const auto &parent = m_fetchQueue.front();
-    m_pendingRequest = m_connection.browse(m_dirId, path(parent), 1, [this, parent](std::vector<SyncthingItem> &&items) {
-        auto *const parentItem = reinterpret_cast<SyncthingItem *>(parent.internalPointer());
-        addLevel(items, parentItem->level);
-        beginRemoveRows(parent, 0, static_cast<int>(parentItem->children.size() - 1));
-        parentItem->children.clear();
-        endRemoveRows();
-        const auto last = items.size() - 1;
-        beginInsertRows(parent, 0, last < std::numeric_limits<int>::max() ? static_cast<int>(last) : std::numeric_limits<int>::max());
-        parentItem->children = std::move(items);
-        parentItem->childrenPopulated = true;
-        endInsertRows();
-        m_fetchQueue.removeAll(parent);
+    const auto &path = m_fetchQueue.front();
+    m_pendingRequest = m_connection.browse(m_dirId, path, 1, [this, p = path](std::vector<SyncthingItem> &&items, QString &&errorMessage) {
+        Q_UNUSED(errorMessage)
+        m_fetchQueue.removeAll(p);
+
+        const auto refreshedIndex = index(p);
+        if (!refreshedIndex.isValid()) {
+            return;
+        }
+        auto *const refreshedItem = reinterpret_cast<SyncthingItem *>(refreshedIndex.internalPointer());
+        if (!refreshedItem->children.empty()) {
+            beginRemoveRows(refreshedIndex, 0, static_cast<int>(refreshedItem->children.size() - 1));
+            refreshedItem->children.clear();
+            endRemoveRows();
+        }
+        if (!items.empty()) {
+            const auto last = items.size() - 1;
+            addLevel(items, refreshedItem->level);
+            for (auto &item : items) {
+                item.parent = refreshedItem;
+            }
+            beginInsertRows(refreshedIndex, 0, last < std::numeric_limits<int>::max() ? static_cast<int>(last) : std::numeric_limits<int>::max());
+            refreshedItem->children = std::move(items);
+            refreshedItem->childrenPopulated = true;
+            endInsertRows();
+        }
         processFetchQueue();
     });
 }
diff --git a/syncthingmodel/syncthingfilemodel.h b/syncthingmodel/syncthingfilemodel.h
index d1931cf..e03a031 100644
--- a/syncthingmodel/syncthingfilemodel.h
+++ b/syncthingmodel/syncthingfilemodel.h
@@ -3,23 +3,24 @@
 
 #include "./syncthingmodel.h"
 
+#include <syncthingconnector/syncthingconnection.h>
+
 #include <vector>
 
 namespace Data {
 
-struct SyncthingItem;
-
 class LIB_SYNCTHING_MODEL_EXPORT SyncthingFileModel : public SyncthingModel {
     Q_OBJECT
 public:
     enum SyncthingFileModelRole { NameRole = SyncthingModelUserRole + 1, SizeRole, ModificationTimeRole, Actions, ActionNames, ActionIcons };
 
-    explicit SyncthingFileModel(SyncthingConnection &connection, const QString &dirId, QObject *parent = nullptr);
+    explicit SyncthingFileModel(SyncthingConnection &connection, const SyncthingDir &dir, QObject *parent = nullptr);
     ~SyncthingFileModel() override;
 
 public Q_SLOTS:
     QHash<int, QByteArray> roleNames() const override;
     QModelIndex index(int row, int column, const QModelIndex &parent = QModelIndex()) const override;
+    QModelIndex index(const QString &path) const;
     QModelIndex parent(const QModelIndex &child) const override;
     QVariant headerData(int section, Qt::Orientation orientation, int role = Qt::DisplayRole) const override;
     QVariant data(const QModelIndex &index, int role = Qt::DisplayRole) const override;
@@ -44,9 +45,9 @@ private:
 private:
     SyncthingConnection &m_connection;
     QString m_dirId;
-    QModelIndexList m_fetchQueue;
+    QStringList m_fetchQueue;
     QMetaObject::Connection m_pendingRequest;
-    mutable std::vector<SyncthingItem> m_items;
+    SyncthingItem m_root;
 };
 
 } // namespace Data
diff --git a/syncthingmodel/syncthingicons.cpp b/syncthingmodel/syncthingicons.cpp
index 919c416..d7ce686 100644
--- a/syncthingmodel/syncthingicons.cpp
+++ b/syncthingmodel/syncthingicons.cpp
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ QString StatusIconSettings::toString() const
 
 StatusIcons::StatusIcons(const StatusIconSettings &settings)
     : disconnected(
-          QIcon(renderSvgImage(makeSyncthingIcon(settings.disconnectedColor, StatusEmblem::None, settings.strokeWidth), settings.renderSize)))
+        QIcon(renderSvgImage(makeSyncthingIcon(settings.disconnectedColor, StatusEmblem::None, settings.strokeWidth), settings.renderSize)))
     , idling(QIcon(renderSvgImage(makeSyncthingIcon(settings.idleColor, StatusEmblem::None, settings.strokeWidth), settings.renderSize)))
     , scanninig(QIcon(renderSvgImage(makeSyncthingIcon(settings.scanningColor, StatusEmblem::Scanning, settings.strokeWidth), settings.renderSize)))
     , notify(QIcon(renderSvgImage(makeSyncthingIcon(settings.warningColor, StatusEmblem::Alert, settings.strokeWidth), settings.renderSize)))
diff --git a/syncthingwidgets/misc/otherdialogs.cpp b/syncthingwidgets/misc/otherdialogs.cpp
index d167ab2..1a0a8f1 100644
--- a/syncthingwidgets/misc/otherdialogs.cpp
+++ b/syncthingwidgets/misc/otherdialogs.cpp
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ QDialog *browseRemoteFilesDialog(Data::SyncthingConnection &connection, const Da
     dlg->setAttribute(Qt::WA_DeleteOnClose);
 
     // setup model/view
-    auto model = new Data::SyncthingFileModel(connection, dir.id, &connection);
+    auto model = new Data::SyncthingFileModel(connection, dir, &connection);
     auto view = new QTreeView(dlg);
     view->setModel(model);
     view->setContextMenuPolicy(Qt::CustomContextMenu);
diff --git a/testhelper/helper.h b/testhelper/helper.h
index 0427fb2..2b604de 100644
--- a/testhelper/helper.h
+++ b/testhelper/helper.h
@@ -178,7 +178,8 @@ public:
 #endif
         }
         // register own handler to detect whether signal has been emitted
-        m_emittedConnection = QObject::connect(sender, signal, sender, [this] { m_signalEmitted = true; }, Qt::DirectConnection);
+        m_emittedConnection = QObject::connect(
+            sender, signal, sender, [this] { m_signalEmitted = true; }, Qt::DirectConnection);
 #ifndef SYNCTHINGTESTHELPER_FOR_CLI
         if (!m_emittedConnection) {
             CPPUNIT_FAIL(argsToString("Unable to connect signal ", signalName().data(), " to check for signal emmitation"));