diff --git a/internal/cache/file.go b/internal/cache/file.go
index f232bc7c1..32ad237bf 100644
--- a/internal/cache/file.go
+++ b/internal/cache/file.go
@@ -63,6 +63,12 @@ func (c *Cache) Load(h restic.Handle, length int, offset int64) (io.ReadCloser,
 		return nil, errors.Errorf("cached file %v is truncated, removing", h)
 	}
 
+	if fi.Size() < offset+int64(length) {
+		_ = f.Close()
+		_ = c.Remove(h)
+		return nil, errors.Errorf("cached file %v is too small, removing", h)
+	}
+
 	if offset > 0 {
 		if _, err = f.Seek(offset, io.SeekStart); err != nil {
 			_ = f.Close()