diff --git a/tutorials/template/README.md.template b/tutorials/template/README.md.template
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0771b70ba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tutorials/template/README.md.template
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+# My HoloHub Tutorial
+
+Provide a splash image highlighting your tutorial.
+
+## Overview
+
+Provide a one-sentence summary of your tutorial's purpose and operations.
+
+## Description
+
+Provide a detailed summary of your project. Include any necessary background
+for the average HoloHub user to understand the general purpose of your project.
+Include any diagrams that are helpful for understanding functionality.
+
+## Data
+
+Give an overview of any datasets that will be used in your project.
+
+## Requirements
+
+List any platform requirements that a user must have before trying to build and run
+your project. Requirements could include hardware or software.
+
+## Tutorial Instructions
+
+Provide a step-by-step walkthrough of your tutorial and link to any accompanying
+tutorial documents. If the tutorial depends on runnable commands, include them
+here.
+
+```bash
+<my-command> <my-args>
+```
+
+## Acknowledgements
+
+Cite any methods or collaborators here.
diff --git a/tutorials/template/metadata.json.template b/tutorials/template/metadata.json.template
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c33a18a39
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tutorials/template/metadata.json.template
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+{
+	"tutorial": {
+		"name": "My Tutorial",
+		"description": "Demonstrates how to use Holoscan in a certain fashion.",
+		"authors": [
+			{
+				"name": "John Doe",
+				"affiliation": "My Institution"
+			}
+		],
+		"language": "C++",
+		"version": "0.1.0",
+		"changelog": {
+			"0.1.0": "Initial Release"
+		},
+		"holoscan_sdk": {
+			"minimum_required_version": "1.0.3",
+			"tested_versions": [
+				"1.0.3"
+			]
+		},
+		"platforms": [
+			"amd64",
+			"arm64"
+		],
+		"tags": [
+			"Sensor",
+            "Processing",
+            "Tutorial"
+		],
+		"ranking": 1,
+		"dependencies": {}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/utilities/metadata_validator.py b/utilities/metadata_validator.py
index 0b03e0739..e348bce98 100644
--- a/utilities/metadata_validator.py
+++ b/utilities/metadata_validator.py
@@ -32,7 +32,10 @@ def validate_json(json_data, directory):
     registry = Registry().with_resource(base_schema["$id"], DRAFT4.create_resource(base_schema))
 
     with open(directory + "/metadata.schema.json", "r") as file:
-        execute_api_schema = json.load(file)
+        try:
+            execute_api_schema = json.load(file)
+        except json.decoder.JSONDecodeError as err:
+            return False, err
     validator = Draft4Validator(execute_api_schema, registry=registry)
 
     try:
@@ -74,7 +77,13 @@ def validate_json_directory(directory, ignore_patterns=[], metadata_is_required:
     # Check if the metadata is valid
     for name in glob.glob(current_wdir + "/" + directory + "/**/metadata.json", recursive=True):
         with open(name, "r") as file:
-            jsonData = json.load(file)
+            try:
+                jsonData = json.load(file)
+            except json.decoder.JSONDecodeError:
+                print("ERROR:" + name + ": invalid")
+                exit_code = 1
+                continue
+
             is_valid, msg = validate_json(jsonData, directory)
             if is_valid:
                 print(name + ": valid")
@@ -91,6 +100,8 @@ def validate_json_directory(directory, ignore_patterns=[], metadata_is_required:
     exit_code_op = validate_json_directory("operators", ignore_patterns=["template"])
     exit_code_extensions = validate_json_directory("gxf_extensions", ignore_patterns=["utils"])
     exit_code_applications = validate_json_directory("applications", ignore_patterns=["template"])
-    exit_code_tutorials = validate_json_directory("tutorials", metadata_is_required=False)
+    exit_code_tutorials = validate_json_directory(
+        "tutorials", ignore_patterns=["template"], metadata_is_required=False
+    )
 
     sys.exit(max(exit_code_op, exit_code_extensions, exit_code_applications, exit_code_tutorials))