diff --git a/lib/private/Files/Template/TemplateManager.php b/lib/private/Files/Template/TemplateManager.php
index 28e9e4f69e878..d8112b1fa6498 100644
--- a/lib/private/Files/Template/TemplateManager.php
+++ b/lib/private/Files/Template/TemplateManager.php
@@ -275,6 +275,11 @@ public function initializeTemplateDirectory(string $path = null, string $userId
 		$isDefaultTemplates = $skeletonTemplatePath === $defaultTemplateDirectory;
 		$userLang = $this->l10nFactory->getUserLanguage($this->userManager->get($this->userId));
 
+		if (empty($skeletonTemplatePath)) {
+			$this->setTemplatePath('');
+			return $this->getTemplatePath();
+		}
+
 		try {
 			$l10n = $this->l10nFactory->get('lib', $userLang);
 			$userFolder = $this->rootFolder->getUserFolder($this->userId);