diff --git a/lib/kamal/utils.rb b/lib/kamal/utils.rb
index 6ab1648b1..c61d4cf8a 100644
--- a/lib/kamal/utils.rb
+++ b/lib/kamal/utils.rb
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ def env_file_with_secrets(env)
     end.string
 
     # Ensure the file has some contents to avoid the SSHKIT empty file warning
-    env_file || "\n"
+    env_file.presence || "\n"
   end
 
   # Returns a list of shell-dashed option arguments. If the value is true, it's treated like a value-less option.
diff --git a/test/utils_test.rb b/test/utils_test.rb
index cef0a7fa2..3edfe8f5c 100644
--- a/test/utils_test.rb
+++ b/test/utils_test.rb
@@ -33,6 +33,10 @@ class UtilsTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
       Kamal::Utils.env_file_with_secrets(env)
   end
 
+  test "env file empty" do
+    assert_equal "\n", Kamal::Utils.env_file_with_secrets({})
+  end
+
   test "env file secret" do
     ENV["PASSWORD"] = "hello"
     env = {