diff --git a/tools/mkeficapsule.c b/tools/mkeficapsule.c
index f7590e482f..c118335b93 100644
--- a/tools/mkeficapsule.c
+++ b/tools/mkeficapsule.c
@@ -210,8 +210,6 @@ static int create_auth_data(struct auth_context *ctx)
 	cert.size = file_size;
 
 	ret = read_bin_file(ctx->key_file, &key.data, &file_size);
-	if (ret < 0)
-		return -1;
 	if (ret < 0)
 		return -1;
 	if (file_size > UINT_MAX)