diff --git a/qutebrowser/utils/url.py b/qutebrowser/utils/url.py
index 3e73c557c..e29c270ad 100644
--- a/qutebrowser/utils/url.py
+++ b/qutebrowser/utils/url.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 """Utils regarding URL handling."""
 
 import re
+import os.path
 import logging
 import urllib.parse
 
@@ -193,6 +194,9 @@ def is_url(url):
         # Special URLs are always URLs, even with autosearch=False
         logging.debug("Is an special URL.")
         return True
+    elif os.path.exists(url):
+        # local file
+        return True
     elif autosearch == 'dns':
         logging.debug("Checking via DNS")
         return _is_url_dns(QUrl.fromUserInput(urlstr))