diff --git a/apply.c b/apply.c
index c8d4517c0a..8637ad4c9f 100644
--- a/apply.c
+++ b/apply.c
@@ -4565,7 +4565,7 @@ static int create_file(struct apply_state *state, struct patch *patch)
 
 	if (patch->conflicted_threeway)
 		return add_conflicted_stages_file(state, patch);
-	else if (state->update_index)
+	else if (state->check_index || (state->ita_only && patch->is_new > 0))
 		return add_index_file(state, path, mode, buf, size);
 	return 0;
 }