diff --git a/src/Composer/Command/ShowCommand.php b/src/Composer/Command/ShowCommand.php
index c7497d390..f90b8160b 100644
--- a/src/Composer/Command/ShowCommand.php
+++ b/src/Composer/Command/ShowCommand.php
@@ -615,7 +615,11 @@ EOT
                         $io->writeError('Everything up to date');
                     }
                 } else {
-                    $this->printPackages($io, $packages, $indent, $versionFits, $latestFits, $descriptionFits, $width, $versionLength, $nameLength, $latestLength);
+                    if ($writeLatest && \count($packages) === 0) {
+                        $io->writeError('All your direct dependencies are up to date');
+                    } else {
+                        $this->printPackages($io, $packages, $indent, $versionFits, $latestFits, $descriptionFits, $width, $versionLength, $nameLength, $latestLength);
+                    }
                 }
 
                 if ($showAllTypes) {
diff --git a/tests/Composer/Test/Command/ShowCommandTest.php b/tests/Composer/Test/Command/ShowCommandTest.php
index e34bb193b..ea1284f7c 100644
--- a/tests/Composer/Test/Command/ShowCommandTest.php
+++ b/tests/Composer/Test/Command/ShowCommandTest.php
@@ -123,6 +123,14 @@ outdated/major 1.0.0 ~ 2.0.0',
             ],
         ];
 
+        yield 'outdated deps with --direct show msg if all up to date' => [
+            ['command' => 'outdated', '--direct' => true],
+            'All your direct dependencies are up to date',
+            [
+                'vendor/package' => '*',
+            ],
+        ];
+
         yield 'outdated deps with --major-only only shows major updates' => [
             ['command' => 'outdated', '--major-only' => true],
 'Legend: