diff --git a/scripts/validate_pr.py b/scripts/validate_pr.py
index e3050f83c..59bd1c45a 100644
--- a/scripts/validate_pr.py
+++ b/scripts/validate_pr.py
@@ -847,7 +847,8 @@ def main() -> None:
                 {
                     "file": r.filepath,
                     "passed": r.passed,
-                    "outcome": r.outcome or "new",
+                    # A file that failed, unread or refused, is not a new one.
+                    "outcome": r.outcome or ("new" if r.passed else "failed"),
                     "destination": r.destination,
                     "sha1": r.sha1,
                     "md5": r.md5,
diff --git a/tests/test_validate_pr.py b/tests/test_validate_pr.py
index 642420795..5f631cd1b 100644
--- a/tests/test_validate_pr.py
+++ b/tests/test_validate_pr.py
@@ -522,6 +522,15 @@ class FlagsAreAppliedOrRefused(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertEqual(result.returncode, 2)
         self.assertIn("not allowed with", result.stderr)
 
+    def test_a_failed_file_is_not_reported_new(self):
+        """A path that does not exist came out as "outcome": "new", and a
+        reader listing new contributions announced a BIOS nobody sent."""
+        import json  # noqa: PLC0415
+
+        result = self._run("--json", "bios/nope.bin")
+        report = json.loads(result.stdout)
+        self.assertEqual([(r["passed"], r["outcome"]) for r in report], [(False, "failed")])
+
 
 
 class AFileOutsideBiosIsToldWhereToGo(unittest.TestCase):