diff --git a/vns b/vns
index 3b6c30e..158b51b 100644
--- a/vns
+++ b/vns
@@ -308,11 +308,17 @@ vns_print () {
     # print the given note to stdout
 
     # Verify $1 is bound    
-    if [ "$#" -lt 1 ]; then vns_raise "Insufficient arguments" 11; fi
-
-    # Decrypt the specified note
-    gpg2 --batch -d "$VNS_STORE/$1.gpg"
-
+    if [ "$#" -lt 1 ]; then 
+        vns_raise "Insufficient arguments" 11
+    
+    # Verify $1 exists
+    elif ! [ -r "$VNS_STORE/$1.gpg" ]; then
+        vns_raise "Could not read $1" 12
+    
+    else
+        # Decrypt the specified note
+        gpg2 --batch -d "$VNS_STORE/$1.gpg"
+    fi
 }
 
 vns_mv () {