diff --git a/Configuration/PyReleaseValidation/python/WorkFlowRunner.py b/Configuration/PyReleaseValidation/python/WorkFlowRunner.py
index 931916d6ab4e9..f32bd9149ebe4 100644
--- a/Configuration/PyReleaseValidation/python/WorkFlowRunner.py
+++ b/Configuration/PyReleaseValidation/python/WorkFlowRunner.py
@@ -164,8 +164,10 @@ def closeCmd(i,ID):
                             cmd+=' --filein  file:step%s.root '%(istep-1,)
                         elif "ALCA" in steps and "RECO" in steps:
                             cmd+=' --filein  file:step%s.root '%(istep-1,)
-                        else:
+                        elif self.recoOutput:
                             cmd+=' --filein %s'%(self.recoOutput)
+                        else:
+                            cmd+=' --filein  file:step%s.root '%(istep-1,)
                     if not '--fileout' in com:
                         cmd+=' --fileout file:step%s.root '%(istep,)
                         if "RECO" in cmd: