Illustrator renames linked files, then can't find them

I'm using Illustrator CS on OS X 10.3.4 and I'm having a bit of a problem with my linked files. PSD files are linked to my Illustrator document, and are located in the same folder. Sometimes I open the AI document, I am told the linked images cannot be found, and rather than displaying the name of the missing file, illustrator spells out the first few letters or so, and then a bunch of numbers, ("can't locate the linked file cheeta#343426348 cancel, ignore replace") when the linked file is called "Cheetah range map.psd".
My only guess is that the numbers indicate that AI has created some kind of temporary name for the linked file for some reason, maybe because the file name is too long or something. I don't know. This is not a huge problem, it only happens about 20% or the time, but it is rather curious, and I'd like to know how to prevent it. Anyone else run into this?