diff --git a/cmd/kubectl-directpv/install.go b/cmd/kubectl-directpv/install.go
index 3e2887ba..ce12b421 100644
--- a/cmd/kubectl-directpv/install.go
+++ b/cmd/kubectl-directpv/install.go
@@ -185,9 +185,10 @@ func installMain(ctx context.Context) {
 		OutputFormat:     outputFormat,
 		Declarative:      declarativeFlag,
 		Openshift:        openshiftFlag,
-		AuditWriter:      file,
 	}
-
+	if file != nil {
+		args.AuditWriter = file
+	}
 	var failed bool
 	var wg sync.WaitGroup
 	var installedComponents []installer.Component