diff --git a/tools/binman/etype/pre_load.py b/tools/binman/etype/pre_load.py
index 00f1a896767..0d953cb258e 100644
--- a/tools/binman/etype/pre_load.py
+++ b/tools/binman/etype/pre_load.py
@@ -152,14 +152,11 @@ class Entry_pre_load(Entry_collection):
         return data + pad
 
     def ObtainContents(self):
-        """Obtain a placeholder for the header contents"""
-        # wait that the image is available
-        self.image = self.GetContents(False)
-        if self.image is None:
-            return False
-        self.SetContents(self._CreateHeader())
+        """Create a placeholder for the header"""
+        self.SetContents(tools.get_bytes(0, self.header_size))
         return True
 
     def ProcessContents(self):
+        self.image = self.GetContents(True)
         data = self._CreateHeader()
         return self.ProcessContentsUpdate(data)