diff --git a/apps/CA.pl.in b/apps/CA.pl.in
index 9d12a8c28..5c8cdd09f 100644
--- a/apps/CA.pl.in
+++ b/apps/CA.pl.in
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ if ($WHAT eq '-newcert' ) {
     # ask user for existing CA certificate
     print "CA certificate filename (or enter to create)\n";
     $FILE = <STDIN>;
-    chop $FILE;
+    chop $FILE if $FILE;
     if ($FILE) {
         copy_pemfile($FILE,"${CATOP}/private/$CAKEY", "PRIVATE");
         copy_pemfile($FILE,"${CATOP}/$CACERT", "CERTIFICATE");