diff --git a/nodes/core/storage/50-file.js b/nodes/core/storage/50-file.js
index 1a584c241..cb00fed75 100644
--- a/nodes/core/storage/50-file.js
+++ b/nodes/core/storage/50-file.js
@@ -80,11 +80,12 @@ module.exports = function(RED) {
             } else {
                 fs.readFile(filename,options,function(err,data) {
                     if (err) {
-                        node.warn(err);
+                        node.warn(err);
+                        msg.error = err;
                     } else {
                         msg.payload = data;
-                        node.send(msg);
-                    }
+                    }
+                    node.send(msg);
                 });
             }
         });