diff --git a/frigate/api/classification.py b/frigate/api/classification.py
index 63f037ec24..0dc3a9d575 100644
--- a/frigate/api/classification.py
+++ b/frigate/api/classification.py
@@ -125,3 +125,20 @@ def deregister_faces(request: Request, name: str, body: dict = None):
         content=({"success": True, "message": "Successfully deleted faces."}),
         status_code=200,
     )
+
+
+@router.post("/faces/{name}/create")
+def create_face(name: str):
+    """Create a new face directory without requiring an image."""
+    folder = os.path.join(FACE_DIR, name)
+    if os.path.exists(folder):
+        return JSONResponse(
+            status_code=400,
+            content={"message": f"Face '{name}' already exists", "success": False},
+        )
+    
+    os.makedirs(folder, exist_ok=True)
+    return JSONResponse(
+        status_code=200,
+        content={"message": "Successfully created face", "success": True},
+    )
diff --git a/web/src/pages/FaceLibrary.tsx b/web/src/pages/FaceLibrary.tsx
index 53280d78f3..55698bea77 100644
--- a/web/src/pages/FaceLibrary.tsx
+++ b/web/src/pages/FaceLibrary.tsx
@@ -133,25 +133,8 @@ export default function FaceLibrary() {
     
     setIsCreatingFace(true);
     try {
-      const canvas = document.createElement('canvas');
-      canvas.width = 1;
-      canvas.height = 1;
-      const ctx = canvas.getContext('2d');
-      if (ctx) {
-        ctx.fillStyle = 'white';
-        ctx.fillRect(0, 0, 1, 1);
-      }
-      
-      const base64Image = canvas.toDataURL('image/webp').split(',')[1];
-
-      const formData = new FormData();
-      formData.append('cropped', 'true');
-      formData.append('image', base64Image);
-
-      const resp = await axios.post(`/faces/${newFaceName}`, {
-        cropped: true,
-        image: base64Image
-      });
+      // Create a directory by making a POST request without a file
+      const resp = await axios.post(`/faces/${newFaceName}/create`);
       
       if (resp.status === 200) {
         setNewFaceDialog(false);
@@ -182,26 +165,8 @@ export default function FaceLibrary() {
 
     setIsRenaming(true);
     try {
-      // Create a 1x1 transparent WebP image
-      const canvas = document.createElement('canvas');
-      canvas.width = 1;
-      canvas.height = 1;
-      const ctx = canvas.getContext('2d');
-      if (ctx) {
-        ctx.fillStyle = 'white';
-        ctx.fillRect(0, 0, 1, 1);
-      }
-      
-      // Convert to base64
-      const base64Image = canvas.toDataURL('image/webp').split(',')[1];
-
-      // Create new face directory
-      await axios.post(`/faces/${renameData.newName}`, {
-        cropped: true,
-        image: base64Image
-      });
+      await axios.post(`/faces/${renameData.newName}/create`);
 
-      // Copy existing images
       const oldFaceImages = faceData[renameData.oldName] || [];
       for (const image of oldFaceImages) {
         const response = await fetch(`${baseUrl}clips/faces/${renameData.oldName}/${image}`);