diff --git a/riscos/bitmap.c b/riscos/bitmap.c
index 4d8423cdb..613b93c8f 100644
--- a/riscos/bitmap.c
+++ b/riscos/bitmap.c
@@ -224,9 +224,26 @@ struct bitmap *bitmap_create(int width, int height, unsigned int state)
 struct bitmap *bitmap_create_file(char *file)
 {
 	struct bitmap *bitmap;
+	char *r;
+	fileswitch_object_type obj_type;
+	os_error *error;
+
 	if (file[0] == '\0')
 		return NULL;
 
+	/* check the file exists */
+	sprintf(bitmap_unixname, "%s/%s", TEMP_FILENAME_PREFIX, file);
+	r = __riscosify(bitmap_unixname, 0, __RISCOSIFY_NO_SUFFIX,
+			bitmap_filename, 256, 0);
+	if (r == 0) {
+		LOG(("__riscosify failed"));
+		return NULL;
+	}
+	error = xosfile_read_stamped_no_path(bitmap_filename,
+			&obj_type, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0);
+	if ((error) || (obj_type != fileswitch_IS_FILE))
+		return NULL;
+
 	if (!filename_claim(file))
 		return NULL;
 	bitmap = calloc(1, sizeof(struct bitmap));