diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 5de1f3825..5012be174 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ at anytime.
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 ### Added
-  *
+  * Prevent publish of files with size 0
   *
 
 ### Changed
diff --git a/lbrynet/lbrynet_daemon/Publisher.py b/lbrynet/lbrynet_daemon/Publisher.py
index 56438219c..9b0fb3e35 100644
--- a/lbrynet/lbrynet_daemon/Publisher.py
+++ b/lbrynet/lbrynet_daemon/Publisher.py
@@ -24,6 +24,11 @@ class Publisher(object):
     def create_and_publish_stream(self, name, bid, claim_dict, file_path):
         """Create lbry file and make claim"""
         log.info('Starting publish for %s', name)
+        if not os.path.isfile(file_path):
+            raise Exception("File {} not found".format(file_path))
+        if os.path.getsize(file_path) == 0:
+            raise Exception("Cannot publish empty file {}".format(file_path))
+
         file_name = os.path.basename(file_path)
         with file_utils.get_read_handle(file_path) as read_handle:
             stream_hash = yield create_lbry_file(self.session, self.lbry_file_manager, file_name,