diff --git a/lib/producer/core/actions/file_append.rb b/lib/producer/core/actions/file_append.rb
index ecdece1..c78362f 100644
--- a/lib/producer/core/actions/file_append.rb
+++ b/lib/producer/core/actions/file_append.rb
@@ -15,7 +15,10 @@ module Producer
         end
 
         def combined_content
-          fs.file_read(path) + content
+          original_content = fs.file_read(path)
+
+          return content unless original_content
+          original_content + content
         end
       end
     end
diff --git a/spec/producer/core/actions/file_append_spec.rb b/spec/producer/core/actions/file_append_spec.rb
index 8986ab5..2185795 100644
--- a/spec/producer/core/actions/file_append_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/producer/core/actions/file_append_spec.rb
@@ -36,6 +36,14 @@ module Producer::Core
         it 'returns original content and added content combined' do
           expect(action.combined_content).to eq 'some content added'
         end
+
+        context 'when fs.file_read returns nil' do
+          before { allow(remote_fs).to receive(:file_read).with(path) { nil } }
+
+          it 'returns only the added content' do
+            expect(action.combined_content).to eq ' added'
+          end
+        end
       end
     end
   end