diff --git a/src/Buffer.cpp b/src/Buffer.cpp
index 782cbadd9c..a78e9e3467 100644
--- a/src/Buffer.cpp
+++ b/src/Buffer.cpp
@@ -1287,10 +1287,14 @@ bool Buffer::save() const
 	// We don't need autosaves in the immediate future. (Asger)
 	resetAutosaveTimers();
 
-	// none of the backup activity that follows is necessary if the
-	// file does not exist
-	if (!fileName().exists())
-		return writeFile(fileName());
+	// if the file does not yet exist, none of the backup activity
+	// that follows is necessary
+	if (!fileName().exists()) {
+		if (!writeFile(fileName()))
+			return false;
+		markClean();
+		return true;
+	}
 
 	// this will hold the name of the location to which we backup
 	// the existing file, if we do that.
diff --git a/status.21x b/status.21x
index b9cd145674..2e16f305bb 100644
--- a/status.21x
+++ b/status.21x
@@ -36,6 +36,8 @@ What's new
 
 - Add Sweave and knitr importers (bug 8734).
 
+- Correctly save files created from the command line (bug 9544).
+
 
 * TEX2LYX IMPROVEMENTS