diff --git a/plugins/fileservices/fileservices.cpp b/plugins/fileservices/fileservices.cpp
index 74f516b571e..d510691bd85 100644
--- a/plugins/fileservices/fileservices.cpp
+++ b/plugins/fileservices/fileservices.cpp
@@ -2837,22 +2837,24 @@ FILESERVICES_API void  FILESERVICES_CALL fsDeleteExternalFile(ICodeContext * ctx
     CDfsLogicalFileName lfn;
     lfn.setExternal(location,path);
 
+    StringBuffer s("DeleteExternalFile ('");
     RemoteFilename rfn;
     lfn.getExternalFilename(rfn);
-    Owned<IFile> f = createIFile(rfn);
-    if (!f->exists())
-        throw makeStringExceptionV(-1,"File %s not found",path);
-    if (f->isDirectory()==fileBool::foundYes)
-        checkExternalFileRights(ctx,lfn.get(),false,true);
+    Owned<IFile> file = createIFile(rfn);
+    if (!file->exists())
+        s.append(location).append(',').append(path).append("), file not found");
     else
     {
-        StringBuffer scopes;
-        checkExternalFileRights(ctx,lfn.getScopes(scopes),false,true);
+        if (file->isDirectory()==fileBool::foundYes)
+            checkExternalFileRights(ctx,lfn.get(),false,true);
+        else
+        {
+            StringBuffer scopes;
+            checkExternalFileRights(ctx,lfn.getScopes(scopes),false,true);
+        }
+        file->remove();
+        s.append(location).append(',').append(path).append(") done");
     }
-    Owned<IFile> file = createIFile(rfn);
-    file->remove();
-    StringBuffer s("DeleteExternalFile ('");
-    s.append(location).append(',').append(path).append(") done");
     WUmessage(ctx,SeverityInformation,NULL,s.str());
     AuditMessage(ctx,"DeleteExternalFile",path);
 }