diff --git a/esphome/__main__.py b/esphome/__main__.py
index a4f010c6ad..3ad69d27cd 100644
--- a/esphome/__main__.py
+++ b/esphome/__main__.py
@@ -298,7 +298,7 @@ def upload_program(config, args, host):
     ota_conf = config[CONF_OTA]
     remote_port = ota_conf[CONF_PORT]
     password = ota_conf.get(CONF_PASSWORD, "")
-    if args.file is not None:
+    if getattr(args, "file", None) is not None:
         return espota2.run_ota(host, remote_port, password, args.file)
     return espota2.run_ota(host, remote_port, password, CORE.firmware_bin)