diff --git a/jrnl/jrnl.py b/jrnl/jrnl.py
index 1c0b97e9..9572f4bd 100644
--- a/jrnl/jrnl.py
+++ b/jrnl/jrnl.py
@@ -328,7 +328,11 @@ def _other_entries(journal: Journal, entries: list["Entry"]) -> list["Entry"]:
 
 
 def _edit_search_results(
-    config: dict, journal: Journal, old_entries: list["Entry"], **kwargs
+    args: "Namespace",
+    config: dict,
+    journal: Journal,
+    old_entries: list["Entry"],
+    **kwargs
 ) -> None:
     """
     1. Send the given journal entries to the user-configured editor
@@ -350,6 +354,10 @@ def _edit_search_results(
     # Get stats now for summary later
     old_stats = _get_predit_stats(journal)
 
+    # If we're adding a new entry (due to no entries matching the
+    # search), apply the change time operation if it was requested
+    do_change_time = not journal.entries and args.change_time
+
     # Send user to the editor
     edited = get_text_from_editor(config, journal.editable_str())
     journal.parse_editable_str(edited)
@@ -358,9 +366,16 @@ def _edit_search_results(
     _print_edited_summary(journal, old_stats)
 
     # Put back entries we separated earlier, sort, and write the journal
-    journal.entries += other_entries
-    journal.sort()
-    journal.write()
+    if do_change_time:
+        # If we're changing time, _change_time_search_results will
+        # handle the recombining, sorting, and saving
+        _change_time_search_results(
+            args, journal, other_entries, no_prompt=True, **kwargs
+        )
+    else:
+        journal.entries += other_entries
+        journal.sort()
+        journal.write()
 
 
 def _print_edited_summary(
diff --git a/tests/bdd/features/change_time.feature b/tests/bdd/features/change_time.feature
index 5f6d419c..a057d4be 100644
--- a/tests/bdd/features/change_time.feature
+++ b/tests/bdd/features/change_time.feature
@@ -243,19 +243,19 @@ Feature: Change entry times in journal
         # | basic_dayone.yaml    | @todo
 
 
-    Scenario Outline: --change-time with --edit and an empty search adds an entry
+    Scenario Outline: --change-time with --edit and an empty search adds an entry at the specified time
         Given we use the config "<config_file>"
         And we write nothing to the editor if opened
         And we use the password "test" if prompted
         And we append to the editor if opened
-            [2022-11-13 11:25] worked on jrnl tests
-        When we run "jrnl -on tomorrow --change-time --edit"
+            worked on jrnl tests
+        When we run "jrnl -on tomorrow --change-time '2022-11-13 13:25' --edit"
         When we run "jrnl -99 --short"
         Then the output should be
             2020-08-29 11:11 Entry the first.
             2020-08-31 14:32 A second entry in what I hope to be a long series.
             2020-09-24 09:14 The third entry finally after weeks without writing.
-            2022-11-13 11:25 worked on jrnl tests
+            2022-11-13 13:25 worked on jrnl tests
 
         Examples: Configs
         | config_file        |