diff --git a/beets/library.py b/beets/library.py
index b634d3951..3131c7b79 100644
--- a/beets/library.py
+++ b/beets/library.py
@@ -273,7 +273,10 @@ class Item(object):
             read_path = self.path
         else:
             read_path = normpath(read_path)
-        f = MediaFile(syspath(read_path))
+        try: f = MediaFile(syspath(read_path))
+        except Exception as err:
+            log.error('Failed processing file: {!r}'.format(read_path))
+            raise
 
         for key in ITEM_KEYS_META:
             setattr(self, key, getattr(f, key))