diff --git a/lxd/instance_file.go b/lxd/instance_file.go
index 8bea4bf480b2..0dd87b4993b0 100644
--- a/lxd/instance_file.go
+++ b/lxd/instance_file.go
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ func instanceFileGet(s *state.State, inst instance.Instance, path string, r *htt
 		fileType = "symlink"
 	}
 
-	fs := stat.Sys().(*sftp.FileStat)
+	fs, _ := stat.Sys().(*sftp.FileStat)
 
 	// Prepare the response.
 	headers := map[string]string{
@@ -339,7 +339,7 @@ func instanceFileHead(inst instance.Instance, path string) response.Response {
 		fileType = "symlink"
 	}
 
-	fs := stat.Sys().(*sftp.FileStat)
+	fs, _ := stat.Sys().(*sftp.FileStat)
 
 	// Prepare the response.
 	headers := map[string]string{
@@ -350,6 +350,11 @@ func instanceFileHead(inst instance.Instance, path string) response.Response {
 		"X-LXD-type":     fileType,
 	}
 
+	if fileType == "file" {
+		headers["Content-Type"] = "application/octet-stream"
+		headers["Content-Length"] = fmt.Sprintf("%d", stat.Size())
+	}
+
 	// Return an empty body (per RFC for HEAD).
 	return response.ManualResponse(func(w http.ResponseWriter) error {
 		// Set the headers.