diff --git a/components/missions/file-upload.tsx b/components/missions/file-upload.tsx
index aaef13be..bc7e6d0c 100644
--- a/components/missions/file-upload.tsx
+++ b/components/missions/file-upload.tsx
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ export function FileUpload({
     return true;
   };
   
-  const handleFileDrop = (e: React.DragEvent) => {
+  const handleFileDrop = async (e: React.DragEvent) => {
     e.preventDefault();
     e.stopPropagation();
     setIsDragging(false);
@@ -115,11 +115,21 @@ export function FileUpload({
         setFile(droppedFile);
         // If this is a new mission, call onFileSelect instead of waiting for upload
         if (isNewMission && onFileSelect) {
-          onFileSelect({
-            data: URL.createObjectURL(droppedFile),
-            name: droppedFile.name,
-            type: droppedFile.type
-          });
+          try {
+            const base64 = await convertFileToBase64(droppedFile);
+            onFileSelect({
+              data: base64,
+              name: droppedFile.name,
+              type: droppedFile.type
+            });
+          } catch (error) {
+            console.error('Error converting file to base64:', error);
+            toast({
+              title: 'Error',
+              description: 'Failed to process file. Please try again.',
+              variant: 'destructive',
+            });
+          }
         }
       }
     }
@@ -191,11 +201,21 @@ export function FileUpload({
     // For new missions, just notify through the callback and don't try to upload
     if (isNewMission) {
       if (onFileSelect) {
-        onFileSelect({
-          data: URL.createObjectURL(fileToUpload),
-          name: fileToUpload.name,
-          type: fileToUpload.type
-        });
+        try {
+          const base64 = await convertFileToBase64(fileToUpload);
+          onFileSelect({
+            data: base64,
+            name: fileToUpload.name,
+            type: fileToUpload.type
+          });
+        } catch (error) {
+          console.error('Error converting file to base64:', error);
+          toast({
+            title: 'Error',
+            description: 'Failed to process file. Please try again.',
+            variant: 'destructive',
+          });
+        }
       }
       toast({
         title: 'File selected',