diff --git a/src/day.c b/src/day.c
index 1bcbaef..0ad9438 100644
--- a/src/day.c
+++ b/src/day.c
@@ -1048,7 +1048,7 @@ day_edit_note (char *editor)
   (void)snprintf (fullname, BUFSIZ, "%s%s", path_notes, p->note);
   wins_launch_external (fullname, editor);
 
-  if (io_file_is_empty (fullname))
+  if (io_file_is_empty (fullname) > 0)
     erase_note (&p->note, ERASE_FORCE);
 
   date = calendar_get_slctd_day_sec ();
diff --git a/src/io.c b/src/io.c
index bad6cf4..63e9d22 100644
--- a/src/io.c
+++ b/src/io.c
@@ -3085,5 +3085,5 @@ io_file_is_empty (char *file)
         }
     }
 
-  return 1;
+  return -1;
 }
diff --git a/src/todo.c b/src/todo.c
index 47c5ea2..9ea066d 100644
--- a/src/todo.c
+++ b/src/todo.c
@@ -468,7 +468,7 @@ todo_edit_note (char *editor)
   (void)snprintf (fullname, BUFSIZ, "%s%s", path_notes, i->note);
   wins_launch_external (fullname, editor);
 
-  if (io_file_is_empty (fullname))
+  if (io_file_is_empty (fullname) > 0)
     erase_note (&i->note, ERASE_FORCE);
 }