diff --git a/pkg/provider/file/file.go b/pkg/provider/file/file.go
index 08ee0896d..548f0cbc4 100644
--- a/pkg/provider/file/file.go
+++ b/pkg/provider/file/file.go
@@ -46,11 +46,6 @@ func (p *Provider) Init() error {
 // Provide allows the file provider to provide configurations to traefik
 // using the given configuration channel.
 func (p *Provider) Provide(configurationChan chan<- dynamic.Message, pool *safe.Pool) error {
-	configuration, err := p.BuildConfiguration()
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-
 	if p.Watch {
 		var watchItem string
 
@@ -68,6 +63,15 @@ func (p *Provider) Provide(configurationChan chan<- dynamic.Message, pool *safe.
 		}
 	}
 
+	configuration, err := p.BuildConfiguration()
+	if err != nil {
+		if p.Watch {
+			log.WithoutContext().WithField(log.ProviderName, providerName).Errorf("Error while building configuration (for the first time): %v", err)
+			return nil
+		}
+		return err
+	}
+
 	sendConfigToChannel(configurationChan, configuration)
 	return nil
 }