diff --git a/src/spellsuggest.c b/src/spellsuggest.c
index 0821dc6..96e7bb6 100644
--- a/src/spellsuggest.c
+++ b/src/spellsuggest.c
@@ -3606,6 +3606,8 @@
     int		len;
     hlf_T	attr;
 
+    if (gap->ga_len == 0)
+	return;
     stp = &SUG(*gap, 0);
     for (i = gap->ga_len - 1; i >= 0; --i)
     {