diff --git a/lock-mgr/main.go b/lock-mgr/main.go
index 018abe8..f18acd4 100644
--- a/lock-mgr/main.go
+++ b/lock-mgr/main.go
@@ -340,6 +340,9 @@ func run() error {
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("cannot resolve file path: %w", err)
 	}
+	if _, statErr := os.Stat(filePath); os.IsNotExist(statErr) {
+		filePath = fileArg
+	}
 
 	// Ensure lock file exists
 	if _, statErr := os.Stat(mgrPath); os.IsNotExist(statErr) {