diff --git a/src/output.c b/src/output.c
index 2264dfed..ae2f7236 100644
--- a/src/output.c
+++ b/src/output.c
@@ -112,9 +112,10 @@ static void write_gitinore(const char *p)
         return;
     }
     FILE *gitinore = fopen(filename, "w");
-    fprintf(gitinore, "*");
-
-    fclose(gitinore);
+    if (gitinore != NULL) {
+        fprintf(gitinore, "*");
+        fclose(gitinore);
+    }
     free(filename);
 }