diff --git a/scripts/upgrade b/scripts/upgrade
index e78c188..e48f9d8 100644
--- a/scripts/upgrade
+++ b/scripts/upgrade
@@ -380,7 +380,14 @@ ynh_add_config --template="../sources/update_synapse_for_appservice.sh" --destin
 
 # Ensure app-service folder has exists and the config file exit (Migration)
 mkdir -p /etc/matrix-$app/app-service
-test -e /etc/matrix-$app/conf.d/app_service.yaml || touch /etc/matrix-$app/conf.d/app_service.yaml
+if [ -e /etc/matrix-$app/conf.d/app_service.yaml ]; then
+    # ensure that the file is empty if no app service are installed (fix issue #385)
+    if [ ! "$(ls -A /etc/matrix-$app/app-service)" ]; then
+        echo "" > /etc/matrix-$app/conf.d/app_service.yaml
+    fi
+else
+    touch /etc/matrix-$app/conf.d/app_service.yaml
+fi
 
 #=================================================
 # ADVERTISE SERVICE IN ADMIN PANEL
diff --git a/sources/update_synapse_for_appservice.sh b/sources/update_synapse_for_appservice.sh
index fda5ddb..072c3dd 100644
--- a/sources/update_synapse_for_appservice.sh
+++ b/sources/update_synapse_for_appservice.sh
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ cp $service_config_file /tmp/app_service_backup.yaml
 
 if [ -n "$(ls /etc/matrix-$app/app-service/)" ]; then
     echo "app_service_config_files:" > $service_config_file
+else
+    echo "" > $service_config_file
 fi
 for f in $(ls /etc/matrix-$app/app-service/); do
     echo "  - /etc/matrix-$app/app-service/$f" >> $service_config_file