diff --git a/cmd/downloader/main.go b/cmd/downloader/main.go
index 18e7c0d6f..f7251501b 100644
--- a/cmd/downloader/main.go
+++ b/cmd/downloader/main.go
@@ -229,7 +229,9 @@ func Downloader(ctx context.Context, logger log.Logger) error {
 	}
 	defer grpcServer.GracefulStop()
 
-	verifyFiles = strings.Split(_verifyFiles, ",")
+	if len(_verifyFiles) > 0 {
+		verifyFiles = strings.Split(_verifyFiles, ",")
+	}
 	if verify || verifyFailfast || len(verifyFiles) > 0 { // remove and create .torrent files (will re-read all snapshots)
 		if err = d.VerifyData(ctx, verifyFiles, verifyFailfast); err != nil {
 			return err