diff --git a/coder.py b/coder.py
index 4a44f893f..c13ea1a2e 100755
--- a/coder.py
+++ b/coder.py
@@ -317,6 +317,12 @@ class Coder:
         after_text = self.strip_quoted_wrapping(after_text, fname)
 
         fname = Path(fname)
+
+        # does it want to make a new file?
+        if not fname.exists() and not before_text:
+            print('Creating empty file:', fname)
+            fname.touch()
+
         content = fname.read_text().splitlines()
 
         if not before_text and not content: