diff --git a/vlib/v/gen/c/text_manipulation.v b/vlib/v/gen/c/text_manipulation.v
index 8bfe511b5c..2394423544 100644
--- a/vlib/v/gen/c/text_manipulation.v
+++ b/vlib/v/gen/c/text_manipulation.v
@@ -7,7 +7,11 @@ import v.util
 
 fn (mut g Gen) write(s string) {
 	$if trace_gen ? {
-		eprintln('gen file: ${g.file.path:-30} | last_fn_c_name: ${g.last_fn_c_name:-45} | write: $s')
+		if g.file == unsafe { nil } {
+			eprintln('gen file: <nil> | last_fn_c_name: ${g.last_fn_c_name:-45} | write: $s')
+		} else {
+			eprintln('gen file: ${g.file.path:-30} | last_fn_c_name: ${g.last_fn_c_name:-45} | write: $s')
+		}
 	}
 	if g.indent > 0 && g.empty_line {
 		g.out.write_string(util.tabs(g.indent))
@@ -20,7 +24,11 @@ fn (mut g Gen) write(s string) {
 
 fn (mut g Gen) writeln(s string) {
 	$if trace_gen ? {
-		eprintln('gen file: ${g.file.path:-30} | last_fn_c_name: ${g.last_fn_c_name:-45} | writeln: $s')
+		if g.file == unsafe { nil } {
+			eprintln('gen file: <nil> | last_fn_c_name: ${g.last_fn_c_name:-45} | writeln: $s')
+		} else {
+			eprintln('gen file: ${g.file.path:-30} | last_fn_c_name: ${g.last_fn_c_name:-45} | writeln: $s')
+		}
 	}
 	if g.indent > 0 && g.empty_line {
 		g.out.write_string(util.tabs(g.indent))