diff --git a/lib/plugins/package/lib/packageService.js b/lib/plugins/package/lib/packageService.js
index 1b1304c272e..dd158638ab0 100644
--- a/lib/plugins/package/lib/packageService.js
+++ b/lib/plugins/package/lib/packageService.js
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 'use strict';
 
 const path = require('path');
+const fsp = require('fs').promises;
 const globby = require('globby');
 const _ = require('lodash');
 const micromatch = require('micromatch');
@@ -75,7 +76,20 @@ module.exports = {
         this.serverless.cli.log(`Packaging disabled for function: "${functionName}"`);
         return;
       }
-      if (functionObject.package.artifact) return;
+      if (functionObject.package.artifact) {
+        try {
+          await fsp.access(
+            path.resolve(this.serverless.serviceDir, functionObject.package.artifact)
+          );
+          return;
+        } catch (error) {
+          throw new ServerlessError(
+            'Cannot access package artifact at ' +
+              `"${functionObject.package.artifact}" (for "${functionName}"): ${error.message}`,
+            'INVALID_PACKAGE_ARTIFACT_PATH'
+          );
+        }
+      }
       if (functionObject.package.individually || this.serverless.service.package.individually) {
         await this.packageFunction(functionName);
         return;
@@ -93,7 +107,23 @@ module.exports = {
     );
 
     await Promise.all(packagePromises);
-    if (shouldPackageService && !this.serverless.service.package.artifact) await this.packageAll();
+    if (shouldPackageService) {
+      if (this.serverless.service.package.artifact) {
+        try {
+          await fsp.access(
+            path.resolve(this.serverless.serviceDir, this.serverless.service.package.artifact)
+          );
+          return;
+        } catch (error) {
+          throw new ServerlessError(
+            'Cannot access package artifact at ' +
+              `"${this.serverless.service.package.artifact}": ${error.message}`,
+            'INVALID_PACKAGE_ARTIFACT_PATH'
+          );
+        }
+      }
+      await this.packageAll();
+    }
   },
 
   async packageAll() {