diff --git a/l4d2web/templates/overlay_detail.html b/l4d2web/templates/overlay_detail.html
index 8aa3984..4edf68a 100644
--- a/l4d2web/templates/overlay_detail.html
+++ b/l4d2web/templates/overlay_detail.html
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@
 
 <section class="panel">
   <h2>Files</h2>
-  {% if file_tree_root_entries is none %}
+  {% if not file_tree_root_entries %}
     <p class="muted">No files yet — build this overlay to populate it.</p>
   {% else %}
     {% set entries = file_tree_root_entries %}
diff --git a/l4d2web/tests/test_overlay_files_routes.py b/l4d2web/tests/test_overlay_files_routes.py
index d3181b6..cef0061 100644
--- a/l4d2web/tests/test_overlay_files_routes.py
+++ b/l4d2web/tests/test_overlay_files_routes.py
@@ -324,6 +324,24 @@ def test_overlay_detail_shows_empty_state_when_overlay_dir_missing(
     assert "No files yet" in text
 
 
+def test_overlay_detail_shows_empty_state_when_overlay_dir_is_empty(
+    app, left4me_root: Path
+) -> None:
+    """A built overlay whose directory has been wiped (or seeded but never
+    built) should also fall back to the empty-state message — not render an
+    invisible empty <ul>."""
+    user_id = _make_user()
+    overlay_id = _make_overlay(left4me_root, user_id=user_id, name="my")
+    # _make_overlay leaves the directory in place but empty.
+
+    client = _client_for(app, user_id)
+    response = client.get(f"/overlays/{overlay_id}")
+    text = response.get_data(as_text=True)
+
+    assert response.status_code == 200
+    assert "No files yet" in text
+
+
 def test_overlay_detail_files_section_present_for_workshop_overlays(
     app, left4me_root: Path
 ) -> None: