diff --git a/examples/image_bot.py b/examples/image_bot.py
index 3e45c39..48816c8 100644
--- a/examples/image_bot.py
+++ b/examples/image_bot.py
@@ -52,9 +52,6 @@ async def on_image(ctx: EventContext) -> None:
     s = time.time()
     data = await ctx.bot.download_file(ctx)
     took_time = time.time() - s
-    if not isinstance(data, bytes):
-        await ctx.bot.send_text(ctx.room, "😧")
-        return
     # convert to Image
     with BytesIO(data) as buf:
         img = Image.open(buf)
diff --git a/src/mab/bot/bot.py b/src/mab/bot/bot.py
index 3a79e29..9649898 100644
--- a/src/mab/bot/bot.py
+++ b/src/mab/bot/bot.py
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import asyncio
 import logging
 
-from typing import Callable, Coroutine, Any
+from typing import Callable, Coroutine, Any, overload
 
 from nio import AsyncClient, MatrixRoom, Event
 
@@ -251,6 +251,18 @@ class MatrixBot:
             is_html=is_html,
             timeout=timeout
         )
+
+    @overload
+    async def download_file(self,
+                            source: EventContext | Event,
+                            *,
+                            path: str | Path) -> Path: ...
+    
+    @overload
+    async def download_file(self,
+                            source: EventContext | Event,
+                            *,
+                            path: None = None) -> bytes: ...
     
     async def download_file(self,
                             source: EventContext | Event,