diff --git a/aider/main.py b/aider/main.py
index b0ebf5075..cc4d30ab5 100644
--- a/aider/main.py
+++ b/aider/main.py
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ def check_gitignore(git_root, io, ask=True):
     gitignore_file = Path(git_root) / ".gitignore"
     if gitignore_file.exists():
         content = io.read_text(gitignore_file)
-        if pat in content.splitlines():
+        if content and pat in content.splitlines():
             return
     else:
         content = ""