diff --git a/encfs/BlockFileIO.cpp b/encfs/BlockFileIO.cpp
index ba9d060..73da4dd 100644
--- a/encfs/BlockFileIO.cpp
+++ b/encfs/BlockFileIO.cpp
@@ -178,6 +178,8 @@ bool BlockFileIO::write(const IORequest &req) {
   rAssert(_blockSize != 0);
 
   off_t fileSize = getSize();
+  if (fileSize < 0)
+    return false;
 
   // where write request begins
   off_t blockNum = req.offset / _blockSize;
diff --git a/encfs/RawFileIO.cpp b/encfs/RawFileIO.cpp
index 339a3f9..7395d46 100644
--- a/encfs/RawFileIO.cpp
+++ b/encfs/RawFileIO.cpp
@@ -178,8 +178,10 @@ off_t RawFileIO::getSize() const {
       const_cast<RawFileIO *>(this)->fileSize = stbuf.st_size;
       const_cast<RawFileIO *>(this)->knownSize = true;
       return fileSize;
-    } else
+    } else {
+      rError("getSize on %s failed: %s", name.c_str(), strerror(errno));
       return -1;
+    }
   } else {
     return fileSize;
   }