diff --git a/plugin/gnupg.vim b/plugin/gnupg.vim
index 49c54f2..1eabad5 100644
--- a/plugin/gnupg.vim
+++ b/plugin/gnupg.vim
@@ -394,6 +394,13 @@ function s:GPGDecrypt(bufread)
 
   " File doesn't exist yet, so nothing to decrypt
   if empty(glob(filename))
+
+    " This is a new file, so force the user to edit the recipient list if
+    " they open a new file and public keys are preferred
+    if (exists("g:GPGPreferSymmetric") && g:GPGPreferSymmetric == 0)
+        call s:GPGEditRecipients()
+    endif
+
     return
   endif