diff --git a/beets/library.py b/beets/library.py
index 8e3d5f1e9..95a02c3b8 100644
--- a/beets/library.py
+++ b/beets/library.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ import unicodedata
 import time
 import re
 from unidecode import unidecode
-from beets.mediafile import MediaFile, MutagenError
+from beets.mediafile import MediaFile, MutagenError, UnreadableFileError
 from beets import plugins
 from beets import util
 from beets.util import bytestring_path, syspath, normpath, samefile
@@ -349,7 +349,7 @@ class Item(LibModel):
     def read(self, read_path=None):
         """Read the metadata from the associated file.
 
-        If ``read_path`` is specified, read metadata from that file
+        If `read_path` is specified, read metadata from that file
         instead. Updates all the properties in `_media_fields`
         from the media file.
 
@@ -361,7 +361,7 @@ class Item(LibModel):
             read_path = normpath(read_path)
         try:
             mediafile = MediaFile(syspath(read_path))
-        except (OSError, IOError) as exc:
+        except (OSError, IOError, UnreadableFileError) as exc:
             raise ReadError(read_path, exc)
 
         for key in self._media_fields:
diff --git a/beets/mediafile.py b/beets/mediafile.py
index 24152ec35..1bdca3852 100644
--- a/beets/mediafile.py
+++ b/beets/mediafile.py
@@ -1243,6 +1243,7 @@ class MediaFile(object):
         )
         try:
             self.mgfile = mutagen.File(path)
+            print(self.mgfile)
         except unreadable_exc as exc:
             log.debug(u'header parsing failed: {0}'.format(unicode(exc)))
             raise UnreadableFileError(path)
diff --git a/test/test_library.py b/test/test_library.py
index 2e5007952..c96d01c27 100644
--- a/test/test_library.py
+++ b/test/test_library.py
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ import _common
 from _common import unittest
 from _common import item
 import beets.library
+import beets.mediafile
 from beets import util
 from beets import plugins
 from beets import config
@@ -1055,6 +1056,22 @@ class WriteTest(_common.LibTestCase):
         self.assertNotEqual(MediaFile(self.i.path).artist, 'new artist')
 
 
+class ItemReadTest(unittest.TestCase):
+
+    def test_unreadable_raise_read_error(self):
+        unreadable = os.path.join(_common.RSRC, 'image-2x3.png')
+        item = beets.library.Item()
+        with self.assertRaises(beets.library.ReadError) as cm:
+            item.read(unreadable)
+        self.assertIsInstance(cm.exception.reason,
+                              beets.mediafile.UnreadableFileError)
+
+    def test_nonexistent_raise_read_error(self):
+        item = beets.library.Item()
+        with self.assertRaises(beets.library.ReadError):
+            item.read('/thisfiledoesnotexist')
+
+
 def suite():
     return unittest.TestLoader().loadTestsFromName(__name__)