BACKUP LOG cannot be performed because there is no current database backup

Originally, I created a database and then restored the backup file to my new empty database:

Right click on Databases > Restore Database > General : Device: [the path of back up file] → OK

This was wrong. I shouldn't have first created the database.

Now, instead, I do this:

Right click on Databases > Restore Database > General : Device: [the path of back up file] → OK

Another cause of this issue is when the Take tail-log backup before restore "Options" setting is enabled.

On the "Options" tab, Disable/uncheck Take tail-log backup before restore before restoring to a database that doesn't yet exist.