diff --git a/files/helpers/alerts.py b/files/helpers/alerts.py
index c3ce6c797..c77b925eb 100644
--- a/files/helpers/alerts.py
+++ b/files/helpers/alerts.py
@@ -157,6 +157,7 @@ def NOTIFY_USERS(text, v, oldtext=None, ghost=False, obj=None, followers_ping=Tr
 
 	for uid, keyword_notifs in keyword_users:
 		for word in keyword_notifs.lower().split('\n'):
+			if not word: continue
 			if word in text:
 				notify_users.add(uid)