diff --git a/artiq/frontend/artiq_flash.py b/artiq/frontend/artiq_flash.py
index 55466227e..86c1ff650 100755
--- a/artiq/frontend/artiq_flash.py
+++ b/artiq/frontend/artiq_flash.py
@@ -424,8 +424,9 @@ def main():
             programmer.write_binary(*config["firmware"], firmware_fbi)
         elif action == "load":
             if args.target == "sayma":
-                rtm_gateware_bit = artifact_path("rtm_gateware", "rtm.bit")
-                programmer.load(rtm_gateware_bit, 0)
+                if variant != "simplesatellite" and variant != "master":
+                    rtm_gateware_bit = artifact_path("rtm_gateware", "rtm.bit")
+                    programmer.load(rtm_gateware_bit, 0)
                 gateware_bit = artifact_path(variant_dir, "gateware", "top.bit")
                 programmer.load(gateware_bit, 1)
             else: