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.