diff --git a/src/misc2.c b/src/misc2.c
index 2f9fed5..fa06e47 100644
--- a/src/misc2.c
+++ b/src/misc2.c
@@ -2129,7 +2129,7 @@
 {
     int    len;
 
-    if (s == NULL)
+    if (s == NULL || *s == NUL)
 	return;
     len = (int)STRLEN(s);
     if (ga_grow(gap, len) == OK)