diff --git a/modules/file/file.field.inc b/modules/file/file.field.inc
index 1189704..cd47f6b 100644
--- a/modules/file/file.field.inc
+++ b/modules/file/file.field.inc
@@ -261,6 +261,11 @@ function file_field_update($entity_type, $entity, $field, $instance, $langcode,
     $current_fids[] = $item['fid'];
   }
 
+  // Load the original entity, if $entity->original is not already set.
+  if (empty($entity->original)) {
+    $entity->original = entity_load_unchanged($entity_type, $id);
+  }
+
   // Compare the original field values with the ones that are being saved.
   $original = $entity->original;
   $original_fids = array();