diff --git a/spyder_kernels/console/start.py b/spyder_kernels/console/start.py
index dfb38818..55610234 100644
--- a/spyder_kernels/console/start.py
+++ b/spyder_kernels/console/start.py
@@ -224,7 +224,8 @@ def kernel_config():
     use_file_o = os.environ.get('SPY_USE_FILE_O')
     run_file_o = os.environ.get('SPY_RUN_FILE_O')
     if use_file_o == 'True' and run_file_o is not None:
-        spy_cfg.IPKernelApp.file_to_run = run_file_o
+        if osp.exists(run_file_o):
+            spy_cfg.IPKernelApp.file_to_run = run_file_o
 
     # Autocall
     autocall_o = os.environ.get('SPY_AUTOCALL_O')