diff --git a/modules/file/file.field.inc b/modules/file/file.field.inc
index 7a5697c..3865329 100644
--- a/modules/file/file.field.inc
+++ b/modules/file/file.field.inc
@@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ function file_field_presave($entity_type, $entity, $field, $instance, $langcode,
   // cleaned up.
   foreach ($items as $item) {
     $file = file_load($item['fid']);
-    if (!$file->status) {
+    if ($file !== FALSE && !$file->status) {
       $file->status = FILE_STATUS_PERMANENT;
       file_save($file);
     }