diff --git a/lib/editors/journal_editor.dart b/lib/editors/journal_editor.dart
index 68112215..dc77e0e5 100644
--- a/lib/editors/journal_editor.dart
+++ b/lib/editors/journal_editor.dart
@@ -109,10 +109,14 @@ class JournalEditorState extends State<JournalEditor> implements EditorState {
   }
 
   void _noteTextChanged() {
-    if (_noteModified) return;
-    setState(() {
-      _noteModified = true;
-    });
+    if (_noteModified && !widget.isNewNote) return;
+
+    var newState = !(widget.isNewNote && _textController.text.trim().isEmpty);
+    if (newState != _noteModified) {
+      setState(() {
+        _noteModified = newState;
+      });
+    }
   }
 
   @override
diff --git a/lib/editors/markdown_editor.dart b/lib/editors/markdown_editor.dart
index d687847b..272b69a8 100644
--- a/lib/editors/markdown_editor.dart
+++ b/lib/editors/markdown_editor.dart
@@ -149,10 +149,14 @@ class MarkdownEditorState extends State<MarkdownEditor> implements EditorState {
   }
 
   void _noteTextChanged() {
-    if (_noteModified) return;
-    setState(() {
-      _noteModified = true;
-    });
+    if (_noteModified && !widget.isNewNote) return;
+
+    var newState = !(widget.isNewNote && _textController.text.trim().isEmpty);
+    if (newState != _noteModified) {
+      setState(() {
+        _noteModified = newState;
+      });
+    }
   }
 
   @override