diff --git a/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core.tests/suite/org/eclipse/cdt/core/testplugin/ResourceHelper.java b/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core.tests/suite/org/eclipse/cdt/core/testplugin/ResourceHelper.java
index d863efa302d..90223c0f72f 100644
--- a/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core.tests/suite/org/eclipse/cdt/core/testplugin/ResourceHelper.java
+++ b/core/org.eclipse.cdt.core.tests/suite/org/eclipse/cdt/core/testplugin/ResourceHelper.java
@@ -531,6 +531,9 @@ public class ResourceHelper {
 			throw new UnsupportedOperationException("Windows links .lnk are not supported.");
 		}
 
+		Assert.assertTrue("Path for symbolic link does not exist: [" + realPath.toOSString() +"]",
+				new File(realPath.toOSString()).exists());
+
 		IPath linkedPath = project.getLocation().append(linkName);
 		String command = "ln -s " + realPath.toOSString() + ' ' + linkedPath.toOSString();
 		Process process = Runtime.getRuntime().exec(command);