diff --git a/fdroidserver/index.py b/fdroidserver/index.py
index 5a179487..fc1b663c 100644
--- a/fdroidserver/index.py
+++ b/fdroidserver/index.py
@@ -1766,6 +1766,10 @@ def make_altstore(apps, apks, config, repodir, pretty=False):
     https://faq.altstore.io/distribute-your-apps/make-a-source
     https://faq.altstore.io/distribute-your-apps/updating-apps
     """
+    if not any(Path(repodir).glob('*.ipa')):
+        # no IPA files present in repo, nothing to do here, exiting early
+        return
+
     indent = 2 if pretty else None
     # for now alt-store support is english only
     for lang in ['en']:
diff --git a/tests/index.TestCase b/tests/index.TestCase
index 6e8ec89b..2f137608 100755
--- a/tests/index.TestCase
+++ b/tests/index.TestCase
@@ -869,6 +869,8 @@ class AltstoreIndexTest(unittest.TestCase):
         with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as tmpdir, TmpCwd(tmpdir):
             repodir = Path(tmpdir) / 'repo'
             repodir.mkdir()
+            with open(repodir / "fake.ipa", "w") as f:
+                f.write("")
 
             fdroidserver.index.make_altstore(
                 apps,