git add -p with new file

[Ariel]

If you do git add -p new_file it says:
No changes.

Which is a rather confusing message. I would expect it to show me the 
content of the file in patch form, in the normal way that -p works, let me 
edit it, etc.

(Note: I am aware I can do -N first, but when I specifically enter the 
name of a new file I feel it should figure out what I mean.)

        -Ariel