diff --git a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/mirror.py b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/mirror.py
index beae3609921..65c65d8b833 100644
--- a/lib/spack/spack/cmd/mirror.py
+++ b/lib/spack/spack/cmd/mirror.py
@@ -491,7 +491,8 @@ def _configure_mirror(args):
         changes["source"] = "source" in args.type
 
     changed = entry.update(changes, direction)
-    changed = changed | _manage_filters(args, entry)
+    if hasattr(args, "include_file"):
+        changed = changed | _manage_filters(args, entry)
 
     if changed:
         mirrors[args.name] = entry.to_dict()