diff --git a/runtime/trace.cc b/runtime/trace.cc
index 29765c9..13e2bf6 100644
--- a/runtime/trace.cc
+++ b/runtime/trace.cc
@@ -318,7 +318,7 @@
   UniquePtr<File> trace_file;
   if (!direct_to_ddms) {
     if (trace_fd < 0) {
-      trace_file.reset(OS::OpenFile(trace_filename, true));
+      trace_file.reset(OS::CreateEmptyFile(trace_filename));
     } else {
       trace_file.reset(new File(trace_fd, "tracefile"));
       trace_file->DisableAutoClose();