diff --git a/beets/library.py b/beets/library.py
index 4bdc321cb..1df2b337e 100644
--- a/beets/library.py
+++ b/beets/library.py
@@ -397,6 +397,8 @@ class Item(LibModel):
             plugins.send("item_copied", item=self, source=self.path,
                          destination=dest)
         else:
+            plugins.send("before_item_moved", item=self, source=self.path,
+                         destination=dest)
             util.move(self.path, dest)
             plugins.send("item_moved", item=self, source=self.path,
                          destination=dest)
diff --git a/docs/dev/plugins.rst b/docs/dev/plugins.rst
index cda1ca29e..ffb2d0721 100644
--- a/docs/dev/plugins.rst
+++ b/docs/dev/plugins.rst
@@ -133,6 +133,9 @@ currently available are:
   singleton to the library (not called for full-album imports). Parameters:
   ``lib``, ``item``
 
+* *before_item_moved*: called with an ``Item`` object immediately before its
+  file is moved. Parameters: ``item``, ``source`` path, ``destination`` path
+
 * *item_moved*: called with an ``Item`` object whenever its file is moved.
   Parameters: ``item``, ``source`` path, ``destination`` path