diff --git a/packages/netlify-cms-backend-github/src/GraphQLAPI.js b/packages/netlify-cms-backend-github/src/GraphQLAPI.js
index d231197c..b8ce0c1f 100644
--- a/packages/netlify-cms-backend-github/src/GraphQLAPI.js
+++ b/packages/netlify-cms-backend-github/src/GraphQLAPI.js
@@ -216,7 +216,7 @@ export default class GraphQLAPI extends API {
       const allFiles = this.getAllFiles(data.repository.object.entries, path);
       return allFiles;
     } else {
-      throw new APIError('Not Found', 404, 'GitHub');
+      return [];
     }
   }