diff --git a/pkgs/clan-cli/clan_cli/machines/create.py b/pkgs/clan-cli/clan_cli/machines/create.py
index adc1ee9fa..54b70705a 100644
--- a/pkgs/clan-cli/clan_cli/machines/create.py
+++ b/pkgs/clan-cli/clan_cli/machines/create.py
@@ -6,6 +6,9 @@ from .folders import machine_folder
 def create_machine(name: str) -> None:
     folder = machine_folder(name)
     folder.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+    # create empty settings.json file inside the folder
+    with open(folder / "settings.json", "w") as f:
+        f.write("{}")
 
 
 def create_command(args: argparse.Namespace) -> None: