diff --git a/ansible/playbooks/roles/repository/files/download-requirements/src/mode/base_mode.py b/ansible/playbooks/roles/repository/files/download-requirements/src/mode/base_mode.py
index b1b17ed11e..02c4e9e014 100644
--- a/ansible/playbooks/roles/repository/files/download-requirements/src/mode/base_mode.py
+++ b/ansible/playbooks/roles/repository/files/download-requirements/src/mode/base_mode.py
@@ -60,7 +60,8 @@ def __parse_requirements(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
             pass  # prereq packages are only for some distros
 
         content = load_yaml_file(self._cfg.reqs_path / f'{self._cfg.distro_subdir}/files.yml')
-        reqs['files'].update(content['files'])
+        if content:
+            reqs['files'].update(content['files'])
 
         for common_reqs in ['cranes', 'files', 'images']:
             content = load_yaml_file(self._cfg.reqs_path / f'{self._cfg.os_arch.value}/{common_reqs}.yml')