diff --git a/django/core/management.py b/django/core/management.py
index 7c56536ec2..3b6fe36378 100644
--- a/django/core/management.py
+++ b/django/core/management.py
@@ -520,6 +520,8 @@ def get_validation_errors(outfile):
             for f in opts.fields:
                 if isinstance(f, meta.CharField) and f.maxlength in (None, 0):
                     e.add(opts, '"%s" field: CharFields require a "maxlength" attribute.' % f.name)
+                if isinstance(f, meta.FileField) and not f.upload_to:
+                    e.add(opts, '"%s" field: FileFields require an "upload_to" attribute.' % f.name)
                 if f.prepopulate_from is not None and type(f.prepopulate_from) not in (list, tuple):
                     e.add(opts, '"%s" field: prepopulate_from should be a list or tuple.' % f.name)
                 if f.choices: