diff --git a/lib/python/qmk/cli/compile.py b/lib/python/qmk/cli/compile.py
index 322ce6a2571..db195f78a59 100755
--- a/lib/python/qmk/cli/compile.py
+++ b/lib/python/qmk/cli/compile.py
@@ -2,15 +2,14 @@
 
 You can compile a keymap already in the repo or using a QMK Configurator export.
 """
-from argparse import FileType
-
 from milc import cli
 
+import qmk.path
 from qmk.decorators import automagic_keyboard, automagic_keymap
 from qmk.commands import compile_configurator_json, create_make_command, parse_configurator_json
 
 
-@cli.argument('filename', nargs='?', arg_only=True, type=FileType('r'), help='The configurator export to compile')
+@cli.argument('filename', nargs='?', arg_only=True, type=qmk.path.FileType('r'), help='The configurator export to compile')
 @cli.argument('-kb', '--keyboard', help='The keyboard to build a firmware for. Ignored when a configurator export is supplied.')
 @cli.argument('-km', '--keymap', help='The keymap to build a firmware for. Ignored when a configurator export is supplied.')
 @cli.argument('-n', '--dry-run', arg_only=True, action='store_true', help="Don't actually build, just show the make command to be run.")
diff --git a/lib/python/qmk/cli/flash.py b/lib/python/qmk/cli/flash.py
index a8762900356..173dee3df5c 100644
--- a/lib/python/qmk/cli/flash.py
+++ b/lib/python/qmk/cli/flash.py
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 You can compile a keymap already in the repo or using a QMK Configurator export.
 A bootloader must be specified.
 """
-from argparse import FileType
 
 from milc import cli
 
@@ -30,7 +29,7 @@ def print_bootloader_help():
     cli.echo('For more info, visit https://docs.qmk.fm/#/flashing')
 
 
-@cli.argument('filename', nargs='?', arg_only=True, type=FileType('r'), help='The configurator export JSON to compile.')
+@cli.argument('filename', nargs='?', arg_only=True, type=qmk.path.FileType('r'), help='The configurator export JSON to compile.')
 @cli.argument('-b', '--bootloaders', action='store_true', help='List the available bootloaders.')
 @cli.argument('-bl', '--bootloader', default='flash', help='The flash command, corresponding to qmk\'s make options of bootloaders.')
 @cli.argument('-km', '--keymap', help='The keymap to build a firmware for. Use this if you dont have a configurator file. Ignored when a configurator file is supplied.')
diff --git a/lib/python/qmk/cli/json2c.py b/lib/python/qmk/cli/json2c.py
index 97d8fb0c332..e7babc0e4c7 100755
--- a/lib/python/qmk/cli/json2c.py
+++ b/lib/python/qmk/cli/json2c.py
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 """Generate a keymap.c from a configurator export.
 """
 import json
-import sys
 
 from milc import cli
 
@@ -11,7 +10,7 @@ import qmk.path
 
 @cli.argument('-o', '--output', arg_only=True, type=qmk.path.normpath, help='File to write to')
 @cli.argument('-q', '--quiet', arg_only=True, action='store_true', help="Quiet mode, only output error messages")
-@cli.argument('filename', type=qmk.path.normpath, arg_only=True, help='Configurator JSON file')
+@cli.argument('filename', type=qmk.path.FileType('r'), arg_only=True, help='Configurator JSON file')
 @cli.subcommand('Creates a keymap.c from a QMK Configurator export.')
 def json2c(cli):
     """Generate a keymap.c from a configurator export.
@@ -20,19 +19,8 @@ def json2c(cli):
     """
 
     try:
-        # Parse the configurator from stdin
-        if cli.args.filename and cli.args.filename.name == '-':
-            user_keymap = json.load(sys.stdin)
-
-        else:
-            # Error checking
-            if not cli.args.filename.exists():
-                cli.log.error('JSON file does not exist!')
-                return False
-
-            # Parse the configurator json file
-            else:
-                user_keymap = json.loads(cli.args.filename.read_text())
+        # Parse the configurator from json file (or stdin)
+        user_keymap = json.load(cli.args.filename)
 
     except json.decoder.JSONDecodeError as ex:
         cli.log.error('The JSON input does not appear to be valid.')
diff --git a/lib/python/qmk/path.py b/lib/python/qmk/path.py
index 54def1d5d6c..2aa1916f558 100644
--- a/lib/python/qmk/path.py
+++ b/lib/python/qmk/path.py
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 """
 import logging
 import os
+import argparse
 from pathlib import Path
 
 from qmk.constants import MAX_KEYBOARD_SUBFOLDERS, QMK_FIRMWARE
@@ -65,3 +66,12 @@ def normpath(path):
         return path
 
     return Path(os.environ['ORIG_CWD']) / path
+
+
+class FileType(argparse.FileType):
+    def __call__(self, string):
+        """normalize and check exists
+            otherwise magic strings like '-' for stdin resolve to bad paths
+        """
+        norm = normpath(string)
+        return super().__call__(norm if norm.exists() else string)