diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/urn_lists_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/urn_lists_controller.rb
index c67b456e6..064c03f0a 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/urn_lists_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/urn_lists_controller.rb
@@ -15,10 +15,10 @@ def create
     if @urn_list.save
       UrnListImporterJob.perform_later(@urn_list)
 
-      return redirect_to admin_urn_lists_path
+      redirect_to admin_urn_lists_path
     end
-
-    render action: :new
+  rescue ActionController::ParameterMissing
+    redirect_to new_admin_urn_list_path, alert: 'Please choose a file to upload'
   end
 
   def download
diff --git a/spec/features/admin_can_upload_urn_list_spec.rb b/spec/features/admin_can_upload_urn_list_spec.rb
index 36afd6034..c620374fb 100644
--- a/spec/features/admin_can_upload_urn_list_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/features/admin_can_upload_urn_list_spec.rb
@@ -24,4 +24,14 @@
 
     expect(UrnListImporterJob).to have_been_enqueued
   end
+
+  context 'without attaching a file' do
+    scenario 'displays an error' do
+      visit new_admin_urn_list_path
+
+      click_button 'Upload'
+
+      expect(page).to have_text 'Please choose a file to upload'
+    end
+  end
 end