diff --git a/CHANGELIST.md b/CHANGELIST.md
index d41372be..d3082b2b 100644
--- a/CHANGELIST.md
+++ b/CHANGELIST.md
@@ -62,6 +62,7 @@
 - Update README to remove AppVeyor references
 - Remove unused gated using statement
 - Add alternate config location
+- Add safety check around empty config files
 
 ### 3.2.4 (2024-11-24)
 
diff --git a/MPF.Frontend/Tools/OptionsLoader.cs b/MPF.Frontend/Tools/OptionsLoader.cs
index c6b460e4..d90ffa19 100644
--- a/MPF.Frontend/Tools/OptionsLoader.cs
+++ b/MPF.Frontend/Tools/OptionsLoader.cs
@@ -298,7 +298,7 @@ namespace MPF.Frontend.Tools
                 return new Options();
 
             // Ensure the file exists
-            if (!File.Exists(ConfigurationPath))
+            if (!File.Exists(ConfigurationPath) || new FileInfo(ConfigurationPath).Length == 0)
             {
                 File.Create(ConfigurationPath).Dispose();
                 return new Options();