diff --git a/packages/gatsby-plugin-sharp/src/index.js b/packages/gatsby-plugin-sharp/src/index.js
index f59a5993c2082..37d8275035d67 100644
--- a/packages/gatsby-plugin-sharp/src/index.js
+++ b/packages/gatsby-plugin-sharp/src/index.js
@@ -30,6 +30,14 @@ const getImageSize = file => {
     const dimensions = imageSize.sync(
       toArray(fs.readFileSync(file.absolutePath))
     )
+
+    if (!dimensions) {
+      reportError(
+        `gatsby-plugin-sharp couldn't determine dimensions for file:\n${file.absolutePath}\nThis file is unusable and is most likely corrupt.`,
+        ``
+      )
+    }
+
     imageSizeCache.set(file.internal.contentDigest, dimensions)
     return dimensions
   }