diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index cb336343..043cdb53 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ a custom license:
 license:
   header: This file is part of {{ .appName }}.
   text: |
-    {{ .Copyright }}
+    {{ .copyright }}
 
     This is my license. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
     My license is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must
diff --git a/cobra/cmd/init.go b/cobra/cmd/init.go
index 20df3560..13792f12 100644
--- a/cobra/cmd/init.go
+++ b/cobra/cmd/init.go
@@ -88,20 +88,23 @@ func initializePath(path string) {
 }
 
 func createLicenseFile() {
-	data := make(map[string]interface{})
-
-	// Try to remove the email address, if any
-	data["copyright"] = strings.Split(copyrightLine(), " <")[0]
-
-	data["appName"] = projectName()
-
-	// Get license and generate the template from text and data.
 	lic := getLicense()
-	r, _ := templateToReader(lic.Text, data)
-	buf := new(bytes.Buffer)
-	buf.ReadFrom(r)
-	if template := buf.String(); template != "" {
-		err := writeTemplateToFile(ProjectPath(), "LICENSE", template, data)
+
+	// Don't bother writing a LICENSE file if there is no text.
+	if lic.Text != "" {
+		data := make(map[string]interface{})
+
+		// Try to remove the email address, if any
+		data["copyright"] = strings.Split(copyrightLine(), " <")[0]
+
+		data["appName"] = projectName()
+
+		// Generate license template from text and data.
+		r, _ := templateToReader(lic.Text, data)
+		buf := new(bytes.Buffer)
+		buf.ReadFrom(r)
+
+		err := writeTemplateToFile(ProjectPath(), "LICENSE", buf.String(), data)
 		_ = err
 		// if err != nil {
 		// 	er(err)