diff --git a/src/Composer/Command/RequireCommand.php b/src/Composer/Command/RequireCommand.php
index f75ec44db..1f3ae7a5a 100644
--- a/src/Composer/Command/RequireCommand.php
+++ b/src/Composer/Command/RequireCommand.php
@@ -54,8 +54,8 @@ EOT
     {
         $file = Factory::getComposerFile();
 
-        if (!file_exists($file)) {
-            $output->writeln('<error>'.$file.' not found.</error>');
+        if (!file_exists($file) && !file_put_contents($file, "{}\n")) {
+            $output->writeln('<error>'.$file.' could not be created.</error>');
 
             return 1;
         }