diff --git a/ironic_python_agent/hardware.py b/ironic_python_agent/hardware.py
index cb8e34fc9..345d7a5e1 100644
--- a/ironic_python_agent/hardware.py
+++ b/ironic_python_agent/hardware.py
@@ -311,6 +311,10 @@ def is_md_device(raid_device):
         utils.execute('mdadm', '--detail', raid_device)
         LOG.debug("%s is an md device", raid_device)
         return True
+    except FileNotFoundError:
+        LOG.debug('mdadm has not been found, assuming %s is not an md device',
+                  raid_device)
+        return False
     except processutils.ProcessExecutionError:
         LOG.debug("%s is not an md device", raid_device)
         return False
@@ -362,6 +366,9 @@ def _md_scan_and_assemble():
     """
     try:
         utils.execute('mdadm', '--assemble', '--scan', '--verbose')
+    except FileNotFoundError:
+        LOG.warning('mdadm has not been found, RAID devices will not be '
+                    'supported')
     except processutils.ProcessExecutionError:
         LOG.info('No new RAID devices assembled during start-up')
 
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/mdadm-d5b8c186182620b1.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/mdadm-d5b8c186182620b1.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..18d605234
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/mdadm-d5b8c186182620b1.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+fixes:
+  - |
+    The ``mdadm`` utility is no longer a hard requirement. It's still required
+    if software RAID is used (even when not managed by ironic).