diff --git a/packages/jumpstarter-driver-ridesx/jumpstarter_driver_ridesx/client.py b/packages/jumpstarter-driver-ridesx/jumpstarter_driver_ridesx/client.py
index 26801e10c..82ffb25d9 100644
--- a/packages/jumpstarter-driver-ridesx/jumpstarter_driver_ridesx/client.py
+++ b/packages/jumpstarter-driver-ridesx/jumpstarter_driver_ridesx/client.py
@@ -23,6 +23,9 @@ def boot_to_fastboot(self):
         return self.call("boot_to_fastboot")
 
     def _upload_file_if_needed(self, file_path: str, operator: Operator | None = None) -> str:
+        if not file_path or not file_path.strip():
+            raise ValueError("File path cannot be empty. Please provide a valid file path.")
+
         if operator is None:
             path_buf, operator, operator_scheme = operator_for_path(file_path)
         else:
@@ -91,6 +94,13 @@ def flash(
             partitions = {partition: path}
             operators = {partition: operator} if isinstance(operator, Operator) else None
 
+        for partition_name, file_path in partitions.items():
+            if not file_path or not file_path.strip():
+                raise ValueError(
+                    f"Partition '{partition_name}' has an empty file path. "
+                    f"Please provide a valid file path (e.g., -t {partition_name}:/path/to/image)"
+                )
+
         self.logger.info("Starting RideSX flash operation")
 
         self.boot_to_fastboot()