diff --git a/builtin/common/misc_helpers.lua b/builtin/common/misc_helpers.lua
index 29aa3e5c23..1a3c586a72 100644
--- a/builtin/common/misc_helpers.lua
+++ b/builtin/common/misc_helpers.lua
@@ -872,3 +872,9 @@ function core.parse_coordinates(x, y, z, relative_to)
 	local rz = core.parse_relative_number(z, relative_to.z)
 	return rx and ry and rz and { x = rx, y = ry, z = rz }
 end
+
+function core.file_exists(path)
+	local file = io.open(path, "r")
+	if file then file:close() return true end
+	return false
+end
diff --git a/doc/lua_api.md b/doc/lua_api.md
index e78ee81164..aee3552b7a 100644
--- a/doc/lua_api.md
+++ b/doc/lua_api.md
@@ -4317,6 +4317,9 @@ Helper functions
     * `tool_capabilities`: Tool capabilities table of the item
     * `time_from_last_punch`: time in seconds since last punch action
     * `wear`: Amount of wear the item starts with (default: 0)
+* `core.file_exists(path)`
+    * Returns true if a file exists
+    * Use if you only want to check if a file exists, don't use to check if you can open it (example: you can check if a schematic exists before loading it)