diff --git a/doc/usage.rst b/doc/usage.rst
index 68390977..5b9ea1f5 100644
--- a/doc/usage.rst
+++ b/doc/usage.rst
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ install [OPTION…] *PACKAGE* *DEVICE*
    Install a partup PACKAGE to DEVICE
 
    -s, --skip-checksums    Skip checksum verification for all input files
+   --dry-run               Do not write to device
 
 package [OPTION…] *PACKAGE* *FILES…*
    Create a partup PACKAGE with the contents FILES
diff --git a/src/pu-emmc.c b/src/pu-emmc.c
index 46b91e3d..d8311e3a 100644
--- a/src/pu-emmc.c
+++ b/src/pu-emmc.c
@@ -159,18 +159,103 @@ emmc_create_partition(PuEmmc *self,
     return TRUE;
 }
 
+static gboolean
+validate_file(PuEmmcInput *input,
+              gchar *prefix,
+              gboolean skip_checksums,
+              GError **error)
+{
+    g_autofree gchar *path = NULL;
+
+    path = pu_path_from_uri(input->uri, prefix, error);
+    if (path == NULL) {
+        g_prefix_error(error, "Failed parsing input URI for partition: ");
+        return FALSE;
+    }
+
+    if (!g_file_test(path, G_FILE_TEST_IS_REGULAR)) {
+        g_set_error(error, PU_ERROR, PU_ERROR_FLASH_DATA,
+                    "Input file at '%s' does not exist", path);
+        return FALSE;
+    }
+
+    if (!g_str_equal(input->md5sum, "") && !skip_checksums) {
+        g_debug("Checking MD5 sum of input file '%s'", path);
+        if (!pu_checksum_verify_file(path, input->md5sum, G_CHECKSUM_MD5, error))
+            return FALSE;
+    }
+
+    if (!g_str_equal(input->sha256sum, "") && !skip_checksums) {
+        g_debug("Checking SHA256 sum of input file '%s'", path);
+        if (!pu_checksum_verify_file(path, input->sha256sum, G_CHECKSUM_SHA256, error))
+            return FALSE;
+    }
+
+    g_free(input->uri);
+    input->uri = g_steal_pointer(&path);
+
+    return TRUE;
+}
+
+static gboolean
+pu_emmc_validate_config(PuFlash *flash,
+                        GError **error)
+{
+    PuEmmc *self = PU_EMMC(flash);
+    g_autofree gchar *prefix = NULL;
+    gboolean skip_checksums = FALSE;
+
+    g_return_val_if_fail(flash != NULL, FALSE);
+    g_return_val_if_fail(error == NULL || *error == NULL, FALSE);
+
+    g_object_get(flash,
+                 "prefix", &prefix,
+                 "skip-checksums", &skip_checksums,
+                 NULL);
+
+    for (GList *p = self->partitions; p != NULL; p = p->next) {
+        PuEmmcPartition *part = p->data;
+
+        for (GList *i = part->input; i != NULL; i = i->next) {
+            PuEmmcInput *input = i->data;
+            if (!validate_file(input, prefix, skip_checksums, error))
+                return FALSE;
+        }
+    }
+
+    for (GList *b = self->raw; b != NULL; b = b->next) {
+        PuEmmcBinary *bin = b->data;
+        PuEmmcInput *input = bin->input;
+        if (!validate_file(input, prefix, skip_checksums, error))
+            return FALSE;
+    }
+
+    if (self->emmc_boot_partitions) {
+        PuEmmcInput *input = self->emmc_boot_partitions->input;
+        if (!validate_file(input, prefix, skip_checksums, error))
+            return FALSE;
+    }
+
+    return TRUE;
+}
+
 static gboolean
 pu_emmc_init_device(PuFlash *flash,
                     GError **error)
 {
     PuEmmc *self = PU_EMMC(flash);
     PedDisk *newdisk;
+    gboolean dry_run = FALSE;
 
     g_debug(G_STRFUNC);
 
     g_return_val_if_fail(flash != NULL, FALSE);
     g_return_val_if_fail(error == NULL || *error == NULL, FALSE);
 
+    g_object_get(flash,
+                 "dry-run", &dry_run,
+                 NULL);
+
     newdisk = ped_disk_new_fresh(self->device, self->disktype);
     if (newdisk == NULL) {
         g_set_error(error, PU_ERROR, PU_ERROR_FLASH_INIT,
@@ -182,6 +267,10 @@ pu_emmc_init_device(PuFlash *flash,
         ped_disk_destroy(self->disk);
     }
     self->disk = newdisk;
+
+    if (dry_run)
+        return TRUE;
+
     ped_disk_commit(self->disk);
 
     g_debug("%s: Finished", G_STRFUNC);
@@ -195,12 +284,17 @@ pu_emmc_setup_layout(PuFlash *flash,
 {
     PuEmmc *self = PU_EMMC(flash);
     PedSector part_start = 0;
+    gboolean dry_run = FALSE;
 
     g_debug(G_STRFUNC);
 
     g_return_val_if_fail(flash != NULL, FALSE);
     g_return_val_if_fail(error == NULL || *error == NULL, FALSE);
 
+    g_object_get(flash,
+                 "dry-run", &dry_run,
+                 NULL);
+
     for (GList *p = self->partitions; p != NULL; p = p->next) {
         PuEmmcPartition *part = p->data;
 
@@ -229,6 +323,9 @@ pu_emmc_setup_layout(PuFlash *flash,
         part_start += part->size + part->offset;
     }
 
+    if (dry_run)
+        return TRUE;
+
     ped_disk_commit(self->disk);
 
     if (!pu_wait_for_partitions(error))
@@ -244,10 +341,9 @@ pu_emmc_write_data(PuFlash *flash,
     PuEmmc *self = PU_EMMC(flash);
     guint i = 0;
     gboolean first_logical_part = FALSE;
-    gboolean skip_checksums = FALSE;
+    gboolean dry_run = FALSE;
     g_autofree gchar *part_path = NULL;
     g_autofree gchar *part_mount = NULL;
-    g_autofree gchar *prefix = NULL;
 
     g_debug(G_STRFUNC);
 
@@ -255,10 +351,12 @@ pu_emmc_write_data(PuFlash *flash,
     g_return_val_if_fail(error == NULL || *error == NULL, FALSE);
 
     g_object_get(flash,
-                 "prefix", &prefix,
-                 "skip-checksums", &skip_checksums,
+                 "dry-run", &dry_run,
                  NULL);
 
+    if (dry_run)
+        return TRUE;
+
     for (GList *p = self->partitions; p != NULL; p = p->next) {
         PuEmmcPartition *part = p->data;
         if (part->type == PED_PARTITION_LOGICAL && first_logical_part == FALSE) {
@@ -297,26 +395,7 @@ pu_emmc_write_data(PuFlash *flash,
 
         for (GList *i = part->input; i != NULL; i = i->next) {
             PuEmmcInput *input = i->data;
-            g_autofree gchar *path = NULL;
-
-            path = pu_path_from_uri(input->uri, prefix, error);
-            if (path == NULL) {
-                g_prefix_error(error, "Failed parsing input URI for partition: ");
-                return FALSE;
-            }
-
-            if (!g_str_equal(input->md5sum, "") && !skip_checksums) {
-                g_debug("Checking MD5 sum of input file '%s'", path);
-                if (!pu_checksum_verify_file(path, input->md5sum,
-                                             G_CHECKSUM_MD5, error))
-                    return FALSE;
-            }
-            if (!g_str_equal(input->sha256sum, "") && !skip_checksums) {
-                g_debug("Checking SHA256 sum of input file '%s'", path);
-                if (!pu_checksum_verify_file(path, input->sha256sum,
-                                             G_CHECKSUM_SHA256, error))
-                    return FALSE;
-            }
+            gchar *path = input->uri;
 
             if (g_regex_match_simple(".tar", path, G_REGEX_CASELESS, 0)) {
                 g_debug("Extracting '%s' to '%s'", path, part_mount);
@@ -362,31 +441,7 @@ pu_emmc_write_data(PuFlash *flash,
     for (GList *b = self->raw; b != NULL; b = b->next) {
         PuEmmcBinary *bin = b->data;
         PuEmmcInput *input = bin->input;
-        g_autofree gchar *path = NULL;
-
-        path = pu_path_from_uri(input->uri, prefix, error);
-        if (path == NULL) {
-            g_prefix_error(error, "Failed parsing input URI for binary: ");
-            return FALSE;
-        }
-
-        if (g_str_equal(path, "")) {
-            g_warning("No input specified for binary");
-            continue;
-        }
-
-        if (!g_str_equal(input->md5sum, "") && !skip_checksums) {
-            g_debug("Checking MD5 sum of input file '%s'", path);
-            if (!pu_checksum_verify_file(path, input->md5sum,
-                                         G_CHECKSUM_MD5, error))
-                return FALSE;
-        }
-        if (!g_str_equal(input->sha256sum, "") && !skip_checksums) {
-            g_debug("Checking SHA256 sum of input file '%s'", path);
-            if (!pu_checksum_verify_file(path, input->sha256sum,
-                                         G_CHECKSUM_SHA256, error))
-                return FALSE;
-        }
+        gchar *path = input->uri;
 
         if (!pu_write_raw(path, self->device->path, self->device,
                           bin->input_offset, bin->output_offset, 0, error))
@@ -395,32 +450,7 @@ pu_emmc_write_data(PuFlash *flash,
 
     if (self->emmc_boot_partitions) {
         PuEmmcInput *input = self->emmc_boot_partitions->input;
-        g_autofree gchar *path = NULL;
-
-        path = pu_path_from_uri(input->uri, prefix, error);
-        if (path == NULL) {
-            g_prefix_error(error, "Failed parsing input URI for eMMC boot partition: ");
-            return FALSE;
-        }
-
-        if (g_str_equal(path, "")) {
-            g_set_error(error, PU_ERROR, PU_ERROR_FLASH_DATA,
-                        "No input specified for eMMC boot partition");
-            return FALSE;
-        }
-
-        if (!g_str_equal(input->md5sum, "") && !skip_checksums) {
-            g_debug("Checking MD5 sum of input file '%s'", path);
-            if (!pu_checksum_verify_file(path, input->md5sum,
-                                         G_CHECKSUM_MD5, error))
-                return FALSE;
-        }
-        if (!g_str_equal(input->sha256sum, "") && !skip_checksums) {
-            g_debug("Checking SHA256 sum of input file '%s'", path);
-            if (!pu_checksum_verify_file(path, input->sha256sum,
-                                         G_CHECKSUM_SHA256, error))
-                return FALSE;
-        }
+        gchar *path = input->uri;
 
         if (!pu_write_raw_bootpart(path, self->device, 0,
                                    self->emmc_boot_partitions->input_offset,
@@ -500,6 +530,7 @@ pu_emmc_class_init(PuEmmcClass *class)
     PuFlashClass *flash_class = PU_FLASH_CLASS(class);
     GObjectClass *object_class = G_OBJECT_CLASS(class);
 
+    flash_class->validate_config = pu_emmc_validate_config;
     flash_class->init_device = pu_emmc_init_device;
     flash_class->setup_layout = pu_emmc_setup_layout;
     flash_class->write_data = pu_emmc_write_data;
@@ -836,6 +867,7 @@ pu_emmc_new(const gchar *device_path,
             PuConfig *config,
             const gchar *prefix,
             gboolean skip_checksums,
+            gboolean dry_run,
             GError **error)
 {
     PuEmmc *self;
@@ -852,6 +884,7 @@ pu_emmc_new(const gchar *device_path,
                         "config", config,
                         "prefix", prefix,
                         "skip-checksums", skip_checksums,
+                        "dry-run", dry_run,
                         NULL);
     root = pu_config_get_root(config);
 
diff --git a/src/pu-emmc.h b/src/pu-emmc.h
index 76d03e11..19ee7555 100644
--- a/src/pu-emmc.h
+++ b/src/pu-emmc.h
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ PuEmmc * pu_emmc_new(const gchar *device_path,
                      PuConfig *config,
                      const gchar *prefix,
                      gboolean skip_checksums,
+                     gboolean dry_run,
                      GError **error);
 
 #endif /* PARTUP_EMMC_H */
diff --git a/src/pu-flash.c b/src/pu-flash.c
index 1c1fdb64..2da00642 100644
--- a/src/pu-flash.c
+++ b/src/pu-flash.c
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ typedef struct {
     PuConfig *config;
     gchar *prefix;
     gboolean skip_checksums;
+    gboolean dry_run;
 } PuFlashPrivate;
 
 enum {
@@ -19,12 +20,23 @@ enum {
     PROP_CONFIG,
     PROP_PREFIX,
     PROP_SKIP_CHECKSUMS,
+    PROP_DRY_RUN,
     NUM_PROPS
 };
 static GParamSpec *props[NUM_PROPS] = { NULL };
 
 G_DEFINE_ABSTRACT_TYPE_WITH_PRIVATE(PuFlash, pu_flash, G_TYPE_OBJECT)
 
+static gboolean
+pu_flash_default_validate_config(PuFlash *self,
+                                 G_GNUC_UNUSED GError **error)
+{
+    g_critical("Flash of type '%s' does not implement PuFlash::validate_config",
+               G_OBJECT_TYPE_NAME(self));
+
+    return FALSE;
+}
+
 static gboolean
 pu_flash_default_init_device(PuFlash *self,
                              G_GNUC_UNUSED GError **error)
@@ -79,6 +91,9 @@ pu_flash_set_property(GObject *object,
     case PROP_SKIP_CHECKSUMS:
         priv->skip_checksums = g_value_get_boolean(value);
         break;
+    case PROP_DRY_RUN:
+        priv->dry_run = g_value_get_boolean(value);
+        break;
     default:
         G_OBJECT_WARN_INVALID_PROPERTY_ID(object, prop_id, pspec);
         break;
@@ -107,6 +122,9 @@ pu_flash_get_property(GObject *object,
     case PROP_SKIP_CHECKSUMS:
         g_value_set_boolean(value, priv->skip_checksums);
         break;
+    case PROP_DRY_RUN:
+        g_value_set_boolean(value, priv->dry_run);
+        break;
     default:
         G_OBJECT_WARN_INVALID_PROPERTY_ID(object, prop_id, pspec);
         break;
@@ -118,6 +136,7 @@ pu_flash_class_init(PuFlashClass *class)
 {
     GObjectClass *object_class = G_OBJECT_CLASS(class);
 
+    class->validate_config = pu_flash_default_validate_config;
     class->init_device = pu_flash_default_init_device;
     class->setup_layout = pu_flash_default_setup_layout;
     class->write_data = pu_flash_default_write_data;
@@ -148,6 +167,12 @@ pu_flash_class_init(PuFlashClass *class)
                              "Modifier to skip checksum verification for all files when writing",
                              FALSE,
                              G_PARAM_READWRITE | G_PARAM_CONSTRUCT_ONLY);
+    props[PROP_DRY_RUN] =
+        g_param_spec_boolean("dry-run",
+                             "Do not write to device",
+                             "Do not write to device, only validate layout configuration and input files",
+                             FALSE,
+                             G_PARAM_READWRITE | G_PARAM_CONSTRUCT_ONLY);
 
     g_object_class_install_properties(object_class, NUM_PROPS, props);
 }
@@ -157,6 +182,13 @@ pu_flash_init(G_GNUC_UNUSED PuFlash *self)
 {
 }
 
+gboolean
+pu_flash_validate_config(PuFlash *self,
+                         GError **error)
+{
+    return PU_FLASH_GET_CLASS(self)->validate_config(self, error);
+}
+
 gboolean
 pu_flash_init_device(PuFlash *self,
                      GError **error)
diff --git a/src/pu-flash.h b/src/pu-flash.h
index 8d688c1d..ae843610 100644
--- a/src/pu-flash.h
+++ b/src/pu-flash.h
@@ -21,16 +21,18 @@
  * PuFlash is the base object used for specific implementations of flash
  * devices. An example can be found for eMMC flash with PuEmmc.
  *
- * Implementations of PuFlash use three different functions representing the
- * different stages of initializing, formatting and writing a flash device. The
- * implementation of these functions are flash device specific and may vary
- * depending on its type.
+ * Implementations of PuFlash use four different functions representing the
+ * different stages of validating, initializing, formatting and writing a flash
+ * device. The implementation of these functions are flash device specific and
+ * may vary depending on its type.
  */
 G_DECLARE_DERIVABLE_TYPE(PuFlash, pu_flash, PU, FLASH, GObject)
 
 struct _PuFlashClass {
     GObjectClass parent_class;
 
+    gboolean (*validate_config)(PuFlash *self,
+                                GError **error);
     gboolean (*init_device)(PuFlash *self,
                             GError **error);
     gboolean (*setup_layout)(PuFlash *self,
@@ -41,6 +43,20 @@ struct _PuFlashClass {
     gpointer padding[8];
 };
 
+/**
+ * Validate the config for the flash device.
+ *
+ * Validate the config, e.g. check if input files exist and the checksum is
+ * correct.
+ *
+ * @param self the PuFlash instance.
+ * @param error a GError used for error handling.
+ *
+ * @return TRUE on success or FALSE if an error occurred.
+ */
+gboolean pu_flash_validate_config(PuFlash *self,
+                                  GError **error);
+
 /**
  * Initialize the flash device.
  *
diff --git a/src/pu-main.c b/src/pu-main.c
index ab49fbbf..bd33f4f6 100644
--- a/src/pu-main.c
+++ b/src/pu-main.c
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@
 #include "pu-version.h"
 
 static gboolean arg_debug = FALSE;
+static gboolean arg_install_dry_run = FALSE;
 static gboolean arg_install_skip_checksums = FALSE;
 static gchar *arg_package_directory = NULL;
 static gboolean arg_package_force = FALSE;
@@ -101,11 +102,15 @@ cmd_install(PuCommandContext *context,
     }
 
     emmc = pu_emmc_new(device_path, config, mount_path,
-                       arg_install_skip_checksums, error);
+                       arg_install_skip_checksums, arg_install_dry_run, error);
     if (emmc == NULL) {
         g_prefix_error(error, "Failed parsing eMMC info from config: ");
         return error_out(mount_path);
     }
+    if (!pu_flash_validate_config(PU_FLASH(emmc), error)) {
+        g_prefix_error(error, "Failed validating config:");
+        return 1;
+    }
     if (!pu_flash_init_device(PU_FLASH(emmc), error)) {
         g_prefix_error(error, "Failed initializing device: ");
         return error_out(mount_path);
@@ -180,6 +185,8 @@ static GOptionEntry option_entries_main[] = {
 static GOptionEntry option_entries_install[] = {
     { "skip-checksums", 's', G_OPTION_FLAG_NONE, G_OPTION_ARG_NONE,
         &arg_install_skip_checksums, "Skip checksum verification for all input files", NULL },
+    { "dry-run", 0, G_OPTION_FLAG_NONE, G_OPTION_ARG_NONE,
+        &arg_install_dry_run, "Do not write to device", NULL },
     { NULL }
 };
 
diff --git a/tests/emmc.c b/tests/emmc.c
index 7c147df1..852bdd23 100644
--- a/tests/emmc.c
+++ b/tests/emmc.c
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ emmc_simple(void)
     mmcblk0p1 = create_tmp_file("mmcblk0p1", path, 32 * PED_MEBIBYTE_SIZE, &error);
     mmcblk0p2 = create_tmp_file("mmcblk0p2", path, 64 * PED_MEBIBYTE_SIZE, &error);
 
-    emmc = pu_emmc_new(g_file_get_path(mmcblk0), config, NULL, FALSE, &error);
+    emmc = pu_emmc_new(g_file_get_path(mmcblk0), config, NULL, FALSE, FALSE, &error);
     g_assert_nonnull(emmc);
     g_assert_true(pu_flash_init_device(PU_FLASH(emmc), &error));
     g_assert_true(pu_flash_setup_layout(PU_FLASH(emmc), &error));