diff --git a/meshtastic/__main__.py b/meshtastic/__main__.py
index 051a7a8..9fa2a4a 100644
--- a/meshtastic/__main__.py
+++ b/meshtastic/__main__.py
@@ -1383,6 +1383,11 @@ def common():
             if not stripped_ham_name:
                 meshtastic.util.our_exit("ERROR: Ham radio callsign cannot be empty or contain only whitespace characters")
 
+        # Early validation for OTA firmware file before attempting device connection
+        if hasattr(args, 'ota_update') and args.ota_update is not None:
+            if not os.path.isfile(args.ota_update):
+                meshtastic.util.our_exit(f"Error: OTA firmware file not found: {args.ota_update}", 1)
+
         if have_powermon:
             create_power_meter()
 
diff --git a/meshtastic/tests/test_main.py b/meshtastic/tests/test_main.py
index 772717c..90dc857 100644
--- a/meshtastic/tests/test_main.py
+++ b/meshtastic/tests/test_main.py
@@ -3157,6 +3157,9 @@ def test_main_ota_update_file_not_found(capsys):
 
     assert pytest_wrapped_e.type == SystemExit
     assert pytest_wrapped_e.value.code == 1
+    out, err = capsys.readouterr()
+    assert "OTA firmware file not found" in out
+    assert "/nonexistent/firmware.bin" in out
 
 
 @pytest.mark.unit