diff --git a/lib/book.js b/lib/book.js
index b3c691584..4a60acf92 100644
--- a/lib/book.js
+++ b/lib/book.js
@@ -228,6 +228,7 @@ Book.prototype.parseReadme = function() {
 	return that.findFile(that.config.getStructure("readme"))
 	.then(function(readme) {
 		if (!readme) throw "No README file";
+		if (!_.contains(that.files, readme.path)) throw "README file is ignored";
 
 		that.readmeFile = readme.path;
 		return that.template.renderFile(readme.path)