diff --git a/src/Illuminate/Validation/Validator.php b/src/Illuminate/Validation/Validator.php
index ab4edfd1426..a6cd19db6b9 100755
--- a/src/Illuminate/Validation/Validator.php
+++ b/src/Illuminate/Validation/Validator.php
@@ -1527,6 +1527,22 @@ protected function validateActiveUrl($attribute, $value)
         return false;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Validate the given value is a valid file.
+     *
+     * @param  string  $attribute
+     * @param  mixed   $value
+     * @return bool
+     */
+    protected function validateFile($attribute, $value)
+    {
+        if (! $this->isAValidFileInstance($value)) {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        return true;
+    }
+
     /**
      * Validate the MIME type of a file is an image MIME type.
      *
diff --git a/tests/Validation/ValidationValidatorTest.php b/tests/Validation/ValidationValidatorTest.php
index 589ff0f7d18..02fcfba90e8 100755
--- a/tests/Validation/ValidationValidatorTest.php
+++ b/tests/Validation/ValidationValidatorTest.php
@@ -1690,6 +1690,24 @@ public function testValidateMime()
         $this->assertFalse($v->passes());
     }
 
+    /**
+     * @requires extension fileinfo
+     */
+    public function testValidateFile()
+    {
+        $trans = $this->getRealTranslator();
+        $uploadedFile = [__FILE__, '', null, null, null, true];
+
+        $file = $this->getMock('Symfony\Component\HttpFoundation\File\UploadedFile', [], $uploadedFile);
+
+        $v = new Validator($trans, ['x' => '1'], ['x' => 'file']);
+        $this->assertTrue($v->fails());
+
+        $v = new Validator($trans, [], ['x' => 'file']);
+        $v->setFiles(['x' => $file]);
+        $this->assertTrue($v->passes());
+    }
+
     public function testEmptyRulesSkipped()
     {
         $trans = $this->getRealTranslator();