diff --git a/tools/releasetools/ota_from_target_files.py b/tools/releasetools/ota_from_target_files.py
index 0b8965c..849679e 100755
--- a/tools/releasetools/ota_from_target_files.py
+++ b/tools/releasetools/ota_from_target_files.py
@@ -530,6 +530,8 @@
         'payload_properties.txt',
     )
     self.optional = (
+        # apex_info.pb isn't directly used in the update flow
+        'apex_info.pb',
         # care_map is available only if dm-verity is enabled.
         'care_map.pb',
         'care_map.txt',
diff --git a/tools/releasetools/test_ota_from_target_files.py b/tools/releasetools/test_ota_from_target_files.py
index 51def30..11cfee1 100644
--- a/tools/releasetools/test_ota_from_target_files.py
+++ b/tools/releasetools/test_ota_from_target_files.py
@@ -863,6 +863,7 @@
         property_files.required)
     self.assertEqual(
         (
+            'apex_info.pb',
             'care_map.pb',
             'care_map.txt',
             'compatibility.zip',
@@ -962,6 +963,7 @@
         property_files.required)
     self.assertEqual(
         (
+            'apex_info.pb',
             'care_map.pb',
             'care_map.txt',
             'compatibility.zip',