diff --git a/Dockerfile.embedr b/Dockerfile.embedr
index d137929724..c70251658b 100644
--- a/Dockerfile.embedr
+++ b/Dockerfile.embedr
@@ -38,6 +38,9 @@ RUN \. "$NVM_DIR/nvm.sh" && \
 # DEBUG
 RUN find ./bskyweb/embedr-static && find ./bskyweb/embedr-templates && find ./bskyembed/dist
 
+# hack around issue with empty directory and go:embed
+RUN touch bskyweb/static/js/empty.txt
+
 #
 # Generate the embedr Go binary.
 #