diff --git a/backup_new.sh b/backup_new.sh
index 2669087..fff1e0d 100755
--- a/backup_new.sh
+++ b/backup_new.sh
@@ -485,6 +485,16 @@ printf "${magenta}details:borgXtraListPath ${norm}-- ${ok}[OK]${norm}\n" \
 includeXtra=1
 fi
 
+## check if exlusion list file is specified
+if [ -n "${borgExcludeListPath}" ]; then
+    # check if the file actually exists
+    if [ ! -f "${borgExcludeListPath}" ]; then
+        badDetails dne 'borgExcludeListPath'
+    fi
+exclusions=1
+fi
+
+