diff --git a/lib/storage/file.js b/lib/storage/file.js
index e1f8ad0ee2d..0cbd9102017 100644
--- a/lib/storage/file.js
+++ b/lib/storage/file.js
@@ -1107,7 +1107,8 @@ File.prototype.startResumableUpload_ = function(stream, metadata) {
   // Handle an error from API calls following the recommended best practices:
   // http://goo.gl/AajKku
   function handleError(err) {
-    if (err.code === 404) {
+    if (err.code === 404 && retries < RETRY_LIMIT) {
+      retries++;
       startUpload();
       return;
     }