diff --git a/stack_orchestrator/deploy/webapp/deploy_webapp_from_registry.py b/stack_orchestrator/deploy/webapp/deploy_webapp_from_registry.py
index d2fff187..f7f48fcd 100644
--- a/stack_orchestrator/deploy/webapp/deploy_webapp_from_registry.py
+++ b/stack_orchestrator/deploy/webapp/deploy_webapp_from_registry.py
@@ -274,8 +274,11 @@ def command(ctx, kube_config, laconic_config, image_registry, deployment_parent_
                 dump_known_requests(state_file, requests)
             return
 
-        main_logger.log(f"Loading known requests from {state_file}...")
-        previous_requests = load_known_requests(state_file)
+        if state_file:
+            main_logger.log(f"Loading known requests from {state_file}...")
+            previous_requests = load_known_requests(state_file)
+        else:
+            previous_requests = {}
 
         # Collapse related requests.
         requests.sort(key=lambda r: r.createTime)