diff --git a/doc/generic/pgf/CHANGELOG.md b/doc/generic/pgf/CHANGELOG.md
index 520cebee4..4ee4c2de0 100644
--- a/doc/generic/pgf/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/doc/generic/pgf/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/).
 - Harden parser for math expressions against active chars
 - Resolve overfull hboxes >=20pt in the manual
 - Adapt `\graphicspath` setting for flattened doc tree #1191
+- Promote warning "Plot data file \`...' not found" to error
 
 ### Contributors
 
diff --git a/tex/generic/pgf/modules/pgfmoduleplot.code.tex b/tex/generic/pgf/modules/pgfmoduleplot.code.tex
index 0afea0ae3..5135d4eec 100644
--- a/tex/generic/pgf/modules/pgfmoduleplot.code.tex
+++ b/tex/generic/pgf/modules/pgfmoduleplot.code.tex
@@ -332,7 +332,7 @@
     \pgfplotstreamstart%
     \openin\r@pgf@reada=#1
     \ifeof\r@pgf@reada
-      \pgfwarning{Plot data file `#1' not found.}
+      \pgferror{Plot data file `#1' not found.}
      \else
       \catcode`\#=14
       \catcode`\^^M=5
@@ -400,7 +400,7 @@
     \pgfplotstreamstart%
     \openin\r@pgf@reada=#1
     \ifeof\r@pgf@reada
-      \pgfwarning{Plot data file `#1' not found.}
+      \pgferror{Plot data file `#1' not found.}
     \else
       \catcode`\#=14
       \catcode`\^^M=5