diff --git a/simtrans/utils.py b/simtrans/utils.py
index 811ac07..5489243 100644
--- a/simtrans/utils.py
+++ b/simtrans/utils.py
@@ -27,7 +27,9 @@ def resolveFile(f):
     try:
         if f.count('file://') > 0:
             ff = os.path.expanduser(f.replace('file://', ''))
-            return ff
+            if os.path.exists(ff):
+                logger.debug('resolveFile resolved to %s' % ff)
+                return ff
         if f.count('model://') > 0:
             fn = f.replace('model://', '')
             paths = ['.', '~/.gazebo/models']