diff --git a/dvc/project.py b/dvc/project.py
index 5763bc2c7..a93a8abbf 100644
--- a/dvc/project.py
+++ b/dvc/project.py
@@ -1023,6 +1023,9 @@ class Project(object):
         self._metrics_modify(path, typ, xpath)
 
     def metrics_add(self, path, typ=None, xpath=None):
+        if not os.path.exists(path):
+            raise DvcException('File does not exist'.format(path))
+
         if not typ:
             typ = 'raw'
         self._metrics_modify(path, typ, xpath)