diff --git a/tempest/common/credentials_factory.py b/tempest/common/credentials_factory.py
index 95dcafc..5d290d4 100644
--- a/tempest/common/credentials_factory.py
+++ b/tempest/common/credentials_factory.py
@@ -11,8 +11,6 @@
 #    See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 #    limitations under the License.
 
-import os
-
 from oslo_concurrency import lockutils
 from oslo_log import log as logging
 from tempest_lib import auth
@@ -170,8 +168,7 @@
             admin_creds=admin_creds,
             **_get_dynamic_provider_params())
     else:
-        if (CONF.auth.test_accounts_file and
-                os.path.isfile(CONF.auth.test_accounts_file)):
+        if CONF.auth.test_accounts_file:
             # Most params are not relevant for pre-created accounts
             return preprov_creds.PreProvisionedCredentialProvider(
                 name=name, identity_version=identity_version,
@@ -193,8 +190,7 @@
     if CONF.auth.use_dynamic_credentials:
         return is_admin
     # Check whether test accounts file has the admin specified or not
-    elif (CONF.auth.test_accounts_file and
-            os.path.isfile(CONF.auth.test_accounts_file)):
+    elif CONF.auth.test_accounts_file:
         check_accounts = preprov_creds.PreProvisionedCredentialProvider(
             identity_version=identity_version, name='check_admin',
             **_get_preprov_provider_params())
@@ -219,8 +215,7 @@
     if CONF.auth.use_dynamic_credentials:
         return True
     # Check whether test accounts file has the admin specified or not
-    if (CONF.auth.test_accounts_file and
-            os.path.isfile(CONF.auth.test_accounts_file)):
+    if CONF.auth.test_accounts_file:
         check_accounts = preprov_creds.PreProvisionedCredentialProvider(
             identity_version=identity_version, name='check_alt',
             **_get_preprov_provider_params())
diff --git a/tempest/common/preprov_creds.py b/tempest/common/preprov_creds.py
index 74cc3f0..34af31e 100644
--- a/tempest/common/preprov_creds.py
+++ b/tempest/common/preprov_creds.py
@@ -31,8 +31,13 @@
 
 
 def read_accounts_yaml(path):
-    with open(path, 'r') as yaml_file:
-        accounts = yaml.load(yaml_file)
+    try:
+        with open(path, 'r') as yaml_file:
+            accounts = yaml.load(yaml_file)
+    except IOError:
+        raise exceptions.InvalidConfiguration(
+            'The path for the test accounts file: %s '
+            'could not be found' % path)
     return accounts
 
 
@@ -74,7 +79,7 @@
             identity_version=identity_version, name=name,
             admin_role=admin_role, credentials_domain=credentials_domain)
         self.test_accounts_file = test_accounts_file
-        if test_accounts_file and os.path.isfile(test_accounts_file):
+        if test_accounts_file:
             accounts = read_accounts_yaml(self.test_accounts_file)
             self.use_default_creds = False
         else: