diff --git a/elasticsearch/src/test/resources/rest-api-spec/test/watcher/execute_watch/10_basic.yaml b/elasticsearch/src/test/resources/rest-api-spec/test/watcher/execute_watch/10_basic.yaml
index 9a7cb03d644..df62acd40cf 100644
--- a/elasticsearch/src/test/resources/rest-api-spec/test/watcher/execute_watch/10_basic.yaml
+++ b/elasticsearch/src/test/resources/rest-api-spec/test/watcher/execute_watch/10_basic.yaml
@@ -56,3 +56,11 @@ teardown:
   - match: { watch_record.trigger_event.triggered_time: "2012-12-12T12:12:12.120Z" }
   - match: { watch_record.trigger_event.manual.schedule.scheduled_time: "2000-12-12T12:12:12.120Z" }
   - match: { watch_record.state: "executed" }
+
+---
+"Execute unknown watch results in 404":
+
+  - do:
+      xpack.watcher.execute_watch:
+        id: "non-existent-watch"
+      catch: missing