diff --git a/t/t2200-add-update.sh b/t/t2200-add-update.sh
index 912075063b..2ad2819a34 100755
--- a/t/t2200-add-update.sh
+++ b/t/t2200-add-update.sh
@@ -176,4 +176,9 @@ test_expect_success 'add -u resolves unmerged paths' '
 
 '
 
+test_expect_success '"add -u non-existent" should fail' '
+	test_must_fail git add -u non-existent &&
+	! (git ls-files | grep "non-existent")
+'
+
 test_done
diff --git a/t/t3700-add.sh b/t/t3700-add.sh
index 85eb0fbf96..525c9a8fdf 100755
--- a/t/t3700-add.sh
+++ b/t/t3700-add.sh
@@ -255,4 +255,9 @@ test_expect_success 'git add to resolve conflicts on otherwise ignored path' '
 	git add track-this
 '
 
+test_expect_success '"add non-existent" should fail' '
+	test_must_fail git add non-existent &&
+	! (git ls-files | grep "non-existent")
+'
+
 test_done