diff --git a/backup/restorefile_form.php b/backup/restorefile_form.php
index f903415745b13..eec70f9f73f5b 100644
--- a/backup/restorefile_form.php
+++ b/backup/restorefile_form.php
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@ function definition() {
         $mform->addElement('hidden', 'contextid', $contextid);
         $mform->setType('contextid', PARAM_INT);
         $mform->addElement('filepicker', 'backupfile', get_string('files'));
+        $mform->addRule('backupfile', get_string('required'), 'required');
         $submit_string = get_string('restore');
         $this->add_action_buttons(false, $submit_string);
     }