diff --git a/commands/flash.c b/commands/flash.c
index a3f3508f2..85efd06e4 100644
--- a/commands/flash.c
+++ b/commands/flash.c
@@ -56,11 +56,6 @@ static int do_flerase(struct command *cmdtp, int argc, char *argv[])
 
 	size = s.st_size;
 
-	if (!filename) {
-		printf("missing filename\n");
-		return 1;
-	}
-
 	fd = open(filename, O_WRONLY);
 	if (fd < 0) {
 		printf("open %s: %s", filename, errno_str());
@@ -132,11 +127,6 @@ static int do_protect(struct command *cmdtp, int argc, char *argv[])
 
 	size = s.st_size;
 
-	if (!filename) {
-		printf("missing filename\n");
-		return 1;
-	}
-
 	fd = open(filename, O_WRONLY);
 	if (fd < 0) {
 		printf("open %s: %s", filename, errno_str());