diff --git a/src/vs/workbench/browser/actions/openSettings.ts b/src/vs/workbench/browser/actions/openSettings.ts
index dd151ac7453..ae5232d883b 100644
--- a/src/vs/workbench/browser/actions/openSettings.ts
+++ b/src/vs/workbench/browser/actions/openSettings.ts
@@ -110,10 +110,11 @@ export class BaseOpenSettingsAction extends BaseTwoEditorsAction {
 			return this.openTwoEditors(DefaultSettingsInput.getInstance(this.instantiationService, this.configurationService), settingsResource, emptySettingsContents);
 		}
 
-		return this.editorService.openEditor({
+		// Create as needed and open in editor
+		return this.createIfNotExists(settingsResource, emptySettingsContents).then(() => this.editorService.openEditor({
 			resource: settingsResource,
 			options: { pinned: true }
-		}).then(() => null);
+		}).then(() => null));
 	}
 }