diff --git a/model/sharing/upload.go b/model/sharing/upload.go
index 4da7292b531..f770077bece 100644
--- a/model/sharing/upload.go
+++ b/model/sharing/upload.go
@@ -224,6 +224,11 @@ func (s *Sharing) findNextFileToUpload(inst *instance.Instance, since string) (m
 				Warnf("missing results for bulk get %v", query)
 			return nil, 0, since, ErrInternalServerError
 		}
+		if results[0]["_deleted"] == true {
+			inst.Logger().WithNamespace("upload").
+				Warnf("cannot upload _deleted file %v", results[0])
+			return nil, 0, since, ErrInternalServerError
+		}
 		return results[0], int(idx), since, nil
 	}
 	return nil, 0, since, nil