Key binding doesn't work when no file is open

I noticed when no file is open the key binding doesn't work.

To Reproduce
For example I have this setting for vim.normalModeKeyBindings:

    {
      "before": [
        "<leader>",
        "f"
      ],
      "after": [],
      "commands": [
        {
          "command": "workbench.action.quickOpen",
          "args": []
        }
      ]

This keybinding doesn't work when no file is open even though the mode is shown as "normal" in status bar.

Expected behavior
Key binding should work similarly as when a file is open.

Screenshots

Reproduce the reported vim.normalModeKeyBindings configuration in VS Code with no file open, then compare it with the same binding when a file is open. Done means the f binding invokes workbench.action.quickOpen in both states; the issue does not name a source file or test to start from.