diff --git a/lib/ace/mode/json_worker.js b/lib/ace/mode/json_worker.js
index 9c233d77..57fa1c10 100644
--- a/lib/ace/mode/json_worker.js
+++ b/lib/ace/mode/json_worker.js
@@ -48,7 +48,8 @@ oop.inherits(JsonWorker, Mirror);
         var value = this.doc.getValue();
 
         try {
-            var result = parse(value);
+            if (value)
+                parse(value);
         } catch (e) {
             var pos = this.doc.indexToPosition(e.at-1);
             this.sender.emit("error", {