diff --git a/beets/importer.py b/beets/importer.py
index f997770c4..16522e4db 100644
--- a/beets/importer.py
+++ b/beets/importer.py
@@ -563,8 +563,7 @@ def read_tasks(session):
 
     for toppath in session.paths:
         # Check whether the path is to a file.
-        if config['import']['singletons'] and \
-                not os.path.isdir(syspath(toppath)):
+        if not os.path.isdir(syspath(toppath)):
             try:
                 item = library.Item.from_path(toppath)
             except mediafile.UnreadableFileError:
@@ -572,7 +571,10 @@ def read_tasks(session):
                     util.displayable_path(toppath)
                 ))
                 continue
-            yield ImportTask.item_task(item)
+            if config['import']['singletons']:
+                yield ImportTask.item_task(item)
+            else:
+                yield ImportTask(toppath, [toppath], [item])
             continue
 
         # A flat album import merges all items into one album.
diff --git a/beets/ui/commands.py b/beets/ui/commands.py
index e7e631a49..4d0578cd5 100644
--- a/beets/ui/commands.py
+++ b/beets/ui/commands.py
@@ -746,12 +746,8 @@ def import_files(lib, paths, query):
     """
     # Check the user-specified directories.
     for path in paths:
-        fullpath = syspath(normpath(path))
-        if not config['import']['singletons'] and not os.path.isdir(fullpath):
-            raise ui.UserError(u'not a directory: {0}'.format(
-                displayable_path(path)))
-        elif config['import']['singletons'] and not os.path.exists(fullpath):
-            raise ui.UserError(u'no such file: {0}'.format(
+        if not os.path.exists(syspath(normpath(path))):
+            raise ui.UserError(u'no such file or directory: {0}'.format(
                 displayable_path(path)))
 
     # Check parameter consistency.
diff --git a/docs/changelog.rst b/docs/changelog.rst
index b5e4e47a5..375e4e326 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.rst
+++ b/docs/changelog.rst
@@ -36,6 +36,8 @@ New stuff:
   example: ``beet modify artist:beatles oldies!`` deletes the ``oldies``
   flexible attribute from the database, for the matching items. Thanks to
   brilnius.
+* The :ref:`import-cmd` command can now accept individual files as arguments
+  even in non-singleton mode. Files are imported as one-track albums.
 
 Fixes: