diff --git a/lib/setuplib.php b/lib/setuplib.php
index f0bfc1d56ac..63ddebb48a6 100644
--- a/lib/setuplib.php
+++ b/lib/setuplib.php
@@ -55,6 +55,10 @@ function make_upload_directory($directory, $shownotices=true) {
             }
             return false;
         }
+    }
+
+    // Make sure a .htaccess file is here, JUST IN CASE the files area is in the open
+    if (!file_exists($currdir.'/.htaccess')) {
         if ($handle = fopen($currdir.'/.htaccess', 'w')) {   // For safety
             @fwrite($handle, "deny from all\r\n");
             @fclose($handle);