diff --git a/podman_compose.py b/podman_compose.py
index a0ea0587..d9e61328 100755
--- a/podman_compose.py
+++ b/podman_compose.py
@@ -3667,7 +3667,7 @@ async def compose_down(compose: PodmanCompose, args: argparse.Namespace) -> None
         await compose.podman.run([], "rm", [cnt["name"]])
 
     orphaned_images = set()
-    if args.remove_orphans:
+    if getattr(args, 'remove_orphans', False):
         orphaned_containers = (
             (
                 await compose.podman.output(