diff --git a/beets/ui/__init__.py b/beets/ui/__init__.py
index ef96c9c38..5e445613f 100644
--- a/beets/ui/__init__.py
+++ b/beets/ui/__init__.py
@@ -858,7 +858,7 @@ def split_into_lines(string, width_tuple):
                     m.group("esc") + raw_word + RESET_COLOR
                     for raw_word in raw_words
                 ]
-            else:
+            elif raw_words:
                 # Pretext stops mid-word
                 if m.group("esc") != RESET_COLOR:
                     # Add the rest of the current word, with a reset after it