diff --git a/lib/ace/document.js b/lib/ace/document.js
index 9d250095..ab8071d7 100644
--- a/lib/ace/document.js
+++ b/lib/ace/document.js
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ var Range = require("./range");
 var Document = function(text, mode) {
     
     this.modified = true;
-    this.lines = [];
+    this.lines = [""];
     this.selection = new Selection(this);
     this.$breakpoints = [];