diff --git a/usr.bin/mg/file.c b/usr.bin/mg/file.c
index b01e8181cc1..6f1e3d50386 100644
--- a/usr.bin/mg/file.c
+++ b/usr.bin/mg/file.c
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-/*	$OpenBSD: file.c,v 1.104 2024/04/23 13:34:50 jsg Exp $	*/
+/*	$OpenBSD: file.c,v 1.105 2026/03/03 15:17:29 op Exp $	*/
 
 /* This file is in the public domain. */
 
@@ -565,6 +565,11 @@ static int	makebackup = TRUE;
 int
 filesave(int f, int n)
 {
+	if ((curbp->b_flag & BFCHG) == 0) {
+		ewprintf("(No changes need to be saved)");
+		return (TRUE);
+	}
+
 	if (curbp->b_fname[0] == '\0')
 		return (filewrite(f, n));
 	else
@@ -572,8 +577,7 @@ filesave(int f, int n)
 }
 
 /*
- * Save the contents of the buffer argument into its associated file.  Do
- * nothing if there have been no changes (is this a bug, or a feature?).
+ * Save the contents of the buffer argument into its associated file.
  * Error if there is no remembered file name. If this is the first write
  * since the read or visit, then a backup copy of the file is made.
  * Allow user to select whether or not to make backup files by looking at
@@ -585,12 +589,6 @@ buffsave(struct buffer *bp)
 	int	 s;
         FILE    *ffp;
 
-	/* return, no changes */
-	if ((bp->b_flag & BFCHG) == 0) {
-		ewprintf("(No changes need to be saved)");
-		return (TRUE);
-	}
-
 	/* must have a name */
 	if (bp->b_fname[0] == '\0') {
 		dobeep();