diff --git a/bread_editor/file.py b/bread_editor/file.py
index 4b8a8fd..0802f5d 100644
--- a/bread_editor/file.py
+++ b/bread_editor/file.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ class FileActions:
         if dialog.exec():
             self.open_multiple_files(dialog.selectedFiles())
 
-    def create_file(self, content: bytes=(0).to_bytes(1)):
+    def create_file(self, content: bytes=(0).to_bytes(1, "big")):
         # open a dialog where the user can choose a new filepath and create an empty file at that path
         # bytes=(0).to_bytes(1) creates a byte with only zeros in it