diff --git a/endpoints/api/build.py b/endpoints/api/build.py
index ae97571eb..ca7866f85 100644
--- a/endpoints/api/build.py
+++ b/endpoints/api/build.py
@@ -276,9 +276,12 @@ class RepositoryBuildList(RepositoryParamResource):
     if repo is None:
       raise NotFound()
 
-    build_name = (user_files.get_file_checksum(dockerfile_id)
-                  if dockerfile_id
-                  else hashlib.sha224(archive_url).hexdigest()[0:7])
+    try:
+      build_name = (user_files.get_file_checksum(dockerfile_id)
+                    if dockerfile_id
+                    else hashlib.sha224(archive_url).hexdigest()[0:7])
+    except IOError:
+      raise InvalidRequest('File %s could not be found or is invalid' %  dockerfile_id)
 
     prepared = PreparedBuild()
     prepared.build_name = build_name