monitor a file using tail initially blank

[jamesmonico]

Hello,

I have a file being monitored like this:
where xxxxxxxxxx is the filename and index name

[monitor:///splunk_formatted/xxxxxxxxxx]
followTail = 1
sourcetype=billing_data
index=xxxxxxxxxx

Initially the file does not exist, however, when it is created the first event is skipped, all following events are caught as normal.

Is this normal behaviour? and if so is there away to capture that first event?

Thanks

[the_wolverine]

There is no need to use followTail, especially when the file does not yet exist.

Additionally, it is advised by Splunk that you NOT use followTail:
http://answers.splunk.com/answers/57819/when-is-it-appropriate-to-set-followtail-to-true