diff --git a/src/file/file_merge.sh b/src/file/file_merge.sh
index 97075d7..7bf25dc 100644
--- a/src/file/file_merge.sh
+++ b/src/file/file_merge.sh
@@ -47,8 +47,7 @@ file_merge_tree() {
         local prompt_verb="In configuration only"
         local prompt_options="Copy to system"
       fi
-      strategy="$(ask "$prompt_verb: $(tildify "$absolute_path")" "$prompt_options")" ||
-        file_merge_tree "$base_files"
+      strategy="$(ask "$prompt_verb: $(tildify "$absolute_path")" "$prompt_options")"
       log debug "[merge_tree] Chosen strategy: $strategy"
 
       if [ "$strategy" -eq 0 ]; then
@@ -65,6 +64,7 @@ file_merge_tree() {
         return 1
       else
         log user 'Invalid choice'
+        return 1
       fi
     fi
   done
diff --git a/src/utility.sh b/src/utility.sh
index 79afd4d..b342897 100644
--- a/src/utility.sh
+++ b/src/utility.sh
@@ -76,10 +76,15 @@ ask() {
   read -r read_answer
   answer="$(echo "$read_answer" | xargs)"
 
-  if [ "$answer" -ge 0 ] 2> /dev/null && [ "$answer" -le $options_count ]; then
+  if [ -z "$answer" ]; then
+    log info "[ask] Invalid choice"
+    echo -1
+    return 1
+  elif [ "$answer" -ge 0 ] 2> /dev/null && [ "$answer" -le $options_count ]; then
     echo "$answer"
   else
-    log debug "[ask] Invalid choice"
+    log info "[ask] Invalid choice"
+    echo -1
     return 1
   fi
 }