diff --git a/src/python/jw/pkg/cmds/secrets/lib/FilesContext.py b/src/python/jw/pkg/cmds/secrets/lib/FilesContext.py
index e7fbdd5e..4dccb1c9 100644
--- a/src/python/jw/pkg/cmds/secrets/lib/FilesContext.py
+++ b/src/python/jw/pkg/cmds/secrets/lib/FilesContext.py
@@ -159,9 +159,9 @@ class FilesContext:
             else:
                 old_mode = stat.S_IMODE(st.mode)
                 old_meta = self._format_metadata(st.owner, st.group, old_mode)
-                old_content = (await self.ctx.get(dst)).stdout_str
+                old_content = (await self.ctx.get(dst)).stdout_str_or_none
 
-                content_changed = old_content != new_content
+                content_changed = old_content is None or old_content != new_content
                 metadata_changed = (
                     st.owner != owner or st.group != group or old_mode != mode
                 )