diff --git a/bundleplugin/src/main/java/org/apache/felix/bundleplugin/BundlePlugin.java b/bundleplugin/src/main/java/org/apache/felix/bundleplugin/BundlePlugin.java
index e84bb5a..9f5213c 100644
--- a/bundleplugin/src/main/java/org/apache/felix/bundleplugin/BundlePlugin.java
+++ b/bundleplugin/src/main/java/org/apache/felix/bundleplugin/BundlePlugin.java
@@ -335,7 +335,7 @@
 
                 // First grab the external manifest file (if specified)
                 File externalManifestFile = archiveConfig.getManifestFile();
-                if ( null != externalManifestFile )
+                if ( null != externalManifestFile && externalManifestFile.exists() )
                 {
                     InputStream mis = new FileInputStream( externalManifestFile );
                     mavenManifest.read( mis );