diff --git a/src/fileio.c b/src/fileio.c
index 04962eee1df..f4537ba0fda 100644
--- a/src/fileio.c
+++ b/src/fileio.c
@@ -2446,7 +2446,7 @@ If VISIT is non-nil, BEG and END must be nil.")
       error ("maximum buffer size exceeded");
   }
 
-  if (NILP (visit))
+  if (NILP (visit) && total > 0)
     prepare_to_modify_buffer (point, point);
 
   move_gap (point);