diff --git a/src/packages/tree-view/spec/tree-view-spec.coffee b/src/packages/tree-view/spec/tree-view-spec.coffee
index 2606ba92f..432870480 100644
--- a/src/packages/tree-view/spec/tree-view-spec.coffee
+++ b/src/packages/tree-view/spec/tree-view-spec.coffee
@@ -54,7 +54,12 @@ describe "TreeView", ->
         atom.loadPackage 'tree-view'
         treeView = TreeView.instance
 
-      it "does not attach or create a root node", ->
+      it "does not attach to the root view or create a root node when initialized", ->
+        expect(treeView.hasParent()).toBeFalsy()
+        expect(treeView.root).not.toExist()
+
+      it "does not attach to the root view or create a root node when attach() is called", ->
+        treeView.attach()
         expect(treeView.hasParent()).toBeFalsy()
         expect(treeView.root).not.toExist()
 
diff --git a/src/packages/tree-view/src/tree-view.coffee b/src/packages/tree-view/src/tree-view.coffee
index cffdaa42f..f1c9902cd 100644
--- a/src/packages/tree-view/src/tree-view.coffee
+++ b/src/packages/tree-view/src/tree-view.coffee
@@ -96,6 +96,7 @@ class TreeView extends ScrollView
         @attach()
 
   attach: ->
+    return unless rootView.project.getPath()
     @rootView.horizontal.prepend(this)
     @focus()