diff --git a/src/rnote/notes.rs b/src/rnote/notes.rs
index 5fc4743..18bfe14 100644
--- a/src/rnote/notes.rs
+++ b/src/rnote/notes.rs
@@ -278,6 +278,9 @@ pub fn show_all() -> Result<()> {
             files.push(fs::read_to_string(file.path())?);
         }
     }
+    if files.is_empty() {
+        return Err(anyhow!("No notes found."));
+    }
     let skin = show::make_skin();
     let md = &files.join("---\n");
     show::run_app(skin, md)?;
@@ -313,6 +316,9 @@ pub fn show_category(category: &str) -> Result<()> {
                 files.push(fs::read_to_string(file.path())?);
             }
         }
+        if files.is_empty() {
+            return Err(anyhow!("No notes found."));
+        }
         let skin = show::make_skin();
         let md = &files.join("---\n");
         show::run_app(skin, md)?;