diff --git a/vfs/file.go b/vfs/file.go
index 2d1a3c59e..aa11ca013 100644
--- a/vfs/file.go
+++ b/vfs/file.go
@@ -356,7 +356,7 @@ func (f *File) ModTime() (modTime time.Time) {
 		return pendingModTime
 	}
 	if o == nil {
-		return d.ModTime()
+		return time.Now()
 	}
 	return o.ModTime(context.TODO())
 }