diff --git a/magit.el b/magit.el
index 4e4e8073..ff6ff778 100644
--- a/magit.el
+++ b/magit.el
@@ -3132,6 +3132,8 @@ Prefix arg means justify as well."
     (with-temp-buffer
       (insert-file-contents ignore-file)
       (goto-char (point-max))
+      (unless (bolp)
+	(insert "\n"))
       (insert "/" file "\n")
       (write-region nil nil ignore-file))
     (magit-need-refresh)))