diff --git a/lib/nconf/stores/file.js b/lib/nconf/stores/file.js
index 4e88912..4c144db 100644
--- a/lib/nconf/stores/file.js
+++ b/lib/nconf/stores/file.js
@@ -81,49 +81,38 @@ File.prototype.load = function (callback) {
 
   path.exists(self.file, function (exists) {
     if (!exists) {
-      //
-      // If the path we are attempting to load doesn't exist, create it
-      //
-      self.save({}, function (err) {
-        self.store = {};
-        return callback(err, self.store);
-      });
-    }
-    else {
-      //
-      // Else, the path exists, read it from disk
-      //
-      fs.readFile(self.file, function (err, data) {
-        if (err) {
-          return callback(err);
-        }
-        
-        try {
-          self.store = self.format.parse(data.toString());
-        }
-        catch (ex) {
-          return callback(new Error("Error parsing your JSON configuration file."));
-        }
-        
-        callback(null, self.store);
-      });
+      return callback(null, {});
     }
+
+    //
+    // Else, the path exists, read it from disk
+    //
+    fs.readFile(self.file, function (err, data) {
+      if (err) {
+        return callback(err);
+      }
+      
+      try {
+        self.store = self.format.parse(data.toString());
+      }
+      catch (ex) {
+        return callback(new Error("Error parsing your JSON configuration file."));
+      }
+      
+      callback(null, self.store);
+    });
   });
 };
 
 //
-// ### function load (callback)
-// #### @callback {function} **Optional** Continuation to respond to when complete.
-// Attempts to load the data stored in `this.file` synchronously and responds appropriately.
+// ### function loadSync (callback)
+// Attempts to load the data stored in `this.file` synchronously
+// and responds appropriately.
 //
 File.prototype.loadSync = function () {
   var data, self = this;
 
   if (!path.existsSync(self.file)) {
-    //
-    // If the path we are attempting to load doesn't exist, create it
-    //
-    self.saveSync({});
     self.store = {};
     data = {};
   }