diff --git a/src/eval.c b/src/eval.c
index a5e358f..e7dcf07 100644
--- a/src/eval.c
+++ b/src/eval.c
@@ -6462,7 +6462,9 @@
     }
 
     len += get_id_len(arg);
-    if (len == 0 && verbose)
+    // Only give an error when there is something, otherwise it will be
+    // reported at a higher level.
+    if (len == 0 && verbose && **arg != NUL)
 	EMSG2(_(e_invexpr2), *arg);
 
     return len;