diff --git a/helpers.inc.php b/helpers.inc.php
index ac86d0c..c1f03d8 100644
--- a/helpers.inc.php
+++ b/helpers.inc.php
@@ -222,6 +222,9 @@ function need_to_regen_any(array $files, array $deps, bool $debug = false) : boo
     echo "need_to_regen_any, earliest file: $earliest_file ($date)\n";
   }
 
+  if($earliest_file === null)
+    return true;
+
   return need_to_regen($earliest_file, $deps, $debug);
 }