diff --git a/scripts/manage.sh b/scripts/manage.sh
index 1e1edfd..6009f58 100755
--- a/scripts/manage.sh
+++ b/scripts/manage.sh
@@ -41,6 +41,10 @@ upload() {
         echo "Could not detect certificate common name" >&2
         exit 1
     fi
+    if [ ! -f "$DEVICE_CERTS/tedge-certificate.pem" ]; then
+        echo "device certificate does not exist: $DEVICE_CERTS/tedge-certificate.pem" >&2
+        exit 1
+    fi
     c8y devicemanagement certificates create \
         --force \
         --name "$COMMON_NAME" \