It should not no, but if the master is leaking and can't get a full load of fluid down the lines then it could make an already existing problem worse, have you tried pumping them up? Try that first, if that works think master.
Then if not, I would crack off the bleed nipple on the front calipers for starters and see if fluid or air comes out. If fluid fine, do it back up. If air let it bubble out for a while. Then go and try the brakes.
What you want to know is, is the system full of fluid, if so, then the master has almost certainly failed.