diff --git a/cinnamon-spices-makepot b/cinnamon-spices-makepot
index 2fc9e8ad..7cb8617b 100755
--- a/cinnamon-spices-makepot
+++ b/cinnamon-spices-makepot
@@ -241,6 +241,8 @@ def make_pot(uuid: str) -> CapturedOutput:
 
     if os.path.exists(pot_file_path):
         pot_file_path.chmod(0o0644)
+    else:
+        return output
 
     # Extract translatable strings from shell scripts
     shell_list = glob('**/*.sh', recursive=True, root_dir=output_dir)