diff --git a/lib/ramble/ramble/spack_runner.py b/lib/ramble/ramble/spack_runner.py
index d6780860d..122729d16 100644
--- a/lib/ramble/ramble/spack_runner.py
+++ b/lib/ramble/ramble/spack_runner.py
@@ -602,16 +602,20 @@ def inventory_hash(self, require_exist=False):
         contents_to_hash = None
 
         if not self.dry_run:
-            if not lock_exists and (require_exist or len(self.env_contents) == 0):
+            if not lock_exists and require_exist and len(self.env_contents) > 0:
                 logger.die(
                     'spack.lock file does not exist in environment '
                     f'{self.env_path}\n'
                     'Make sure your workspace is fully setup with\n'
                     '    ramble workspace setup'
                 )
+            elif len(self.env_contents) == 0:
+                contents_to_hash = {}
             elif lock_exists:
                 with open(spack_file, 'r') as f:
                     contents_to_hash = sjson.load(f)
+            else:
+                logger.die('Issue with spack.lock file')
 
         if self.dry_run or not lock_exists:
             contents_to_hash = self._env_file_dict()