diff --git a/engine/resources/file.go b/engine/resources/file.go
index 47d3304c..f704517c 100644
--- a/engine/resources/file.go
+++ b/engine/resources/file.go
@@ -130,6 +130,10 @@ func (obj *FileRes) Validate() error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("the State is invalid")
 	}
 
+	if obj.State == FileStateAbsent && obj.Content != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("can't specify content for an absent file")
+	}
+
 	if obj.Mode != "" {
 		if _, err := obj.mode(); err != nil {
 			return err
diff --git a/test/shell/t2.yaml b/test/shell/t2.yaml
index 09bfcca8..98be0930 100644
--- a/test/shell/t2.yaml
+++ b/test/shell/t2.yaml
@@ -21,8 +21,6 @@ resources:
     state: exists
   - name: file4
     path: "/tmp/mgmt/f4"
-    content: |
-      i am f4 and i should not be here
     state: absent
   - name: dir1
     path: "/tmp/mgmt/dir1/"
diff --git a/test/shell/t6.yaml b/test/shell/t6.yaml
index f69394ee..295dc5c1 100644
--- a/test/shell/t6.yaml
+++ b/test/shell/t6.yaml
@@ -21,8 +21,6 @@ resources:
     state: exists
   - name: file4
     path: "/tmp/mgmt/f4"
-    content: |
-      i am f4 and i should not be here
     state: absent
 edges:
 - name: e1