diff --git a/modules/editor/file-templates/config.el b/modules/editor/file-templates/config.el
index 787c31fc6..754afd78c 100644
--- a/modules/editor/file-templates/config.el
+++ b/modules/editor/file-templates/config.el
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ information.")
   "Check if the current buffer is a candidate for file template expansion. It
 must be non-read-only, empty, and there must be a rule in
 `+file-templates-alist' that applies to it."
-  (when (and (not (file-exists-p (buffer-file-name)))
+  (when (and (not (file-exists-p (or (buffer-file-name) "")))
              (not buffer-read-only)
              (bobp) (eobp)
              (not (string-match-p "^ *\\*" (buffer-name))))