diff --git a/reed-alert.in b/reed-alert.in
index c57ec16..ce3aab8 100755
--- a/reed-alert.in
+++ b/reed-alert.in
@@ -32,6 +32,12 @@ then
 	exit 2
 fi
 
+if [ ! -f "$1" ]
+then
+	echo "$1 not found"
+	exit 3
+fi
+
 # prevent interpreter output when loading files
 $LISP $PARAMS --eval \
 "(let ((*standard-output* (make-broadcast-stream)))