diff --git a/file_entity.admin.inc b/file_entity.admin.inc
index 42bb144..0d23355 100644
--- a/file_entity.admin.inc
+++ b/file_entity.admin.inc
@@ -121,6 +121,20 @@ function file_entity_admin_files($form, &$form_state) {
   return $form;
 }
 
+
+/**
+ * Validate file_entity_admin_files form submissions.
+ *
+ * Check if any files have been selected to perform the chosen
+ * 'Update option' on.
+ */
+function file_entity_admin_files_validate($form, &$form_state) {
+  $files = array_filter($form_state['values']['files']);
+  if (count($files) == 0) {
+    form_set_error('', t('Update operation failed: no files were selected.'));
+  }
+}
+
 /**
  * Submit handler for file_entity_admin_files.
  */