diff --git a/artiq/frontend/artiq_flash.py b/artiq/frontend/artiq_flash.py
index 2712a43e7..dd3120666 100755
--- a/artiq/frontend/artiq_flash.py
+++ b/artiq/frontend/artiq_flash.py
@@ -440,7 +440,7 @@ def main():
             storage_img = args.storage
             programmer.write_binary(*config["storage"], storage_img)
         elif action == "firmware":
-            if variant.endswith("satellite"):
+            if "satellite" in variant:
                 firmware = "satman"
             else:
                 firmware = "runtime"