diff --git a/autoload/tagbar.vim b/autoload/tagbar.vim
index 92a363c..d581c48 100644
--- a/autoload/tagbar.vim
+++ b/autoload/tagbar.vim
@@ -3111,7 +3111,8 @@ function! s:AutoUpdate(fname, force) abort
     " Display the tagbar content if the tags have been updated or a different
     " file is being displayed
     if bufwinnr('__Tagbar__') != -1 &&
-     \ (s:new_window || updated || a:fname != s:known_files.getCurrent().fpath)
+     \ (s:new_window || updated ||
+      \ (!empty(s:known_files.getCurrent()) && a:fname != s:known_files.getCurrent().fpath))
         call s:RenderContent(fileinfo)
     endif