diff --git a/paperless_ngx/rootfs/etc/cont-init.d/31-nginx.sh b/paperless_ngx/rootfs/etc/cont-init.d/31-nginx.sh
index 24c81eb03..8a4be70e9 100644
--- a/paperless_ngx/rootfs/etc/cont-init.d/31-nginx.sh
+++ b/paperless_ngx/rootfs/etc/cont-init.d/31-nginx.sh
@@ -2,11 +2,19 @@
 # shellcheck shell=bash
 
 if bashio::config.true 'ssl'; then
+
+    # Adapt nginx template
     certfile=$(bashio::config 'certfile')
     keyfile=$(bashio::config 'keyfile')
     sed -i "s#%%certfile%%#${certfile}#g" /etc/nginx/servers/direct.conf
     sed -i "s#%%keyfile%%#${keyfile}#g" /etc/nginx/servers/direct.conf
 
+    # Check if files exist
+    echo "... checking if referenced certificates exist"
+    [ ! -f /ssl/"$certfile" ] && bashio::log.fatal "... use_own_certs is true but certificate /ssl/$certfile not found" && bashio::exit.nok
+    [ ! -f /ssl/"$keyfile" ] && bashio::log.fatal "... use_own_certs is true but certificate /ssl/$keyfile not found" && bashio::exit.nok
+
+    # Configure URL
     if bashio::config.has_value "PAPERLESS_URL"; then
         bashio::log.warning "Ssl enabled, your site will be available at $(bashio::config "PAPERLESS_URL"):$(bashio::addon.port 8443). Don't forget to enable the https alternative port in the addon options."
     else