diff --git a/espeak.c b/espeak.c
index f1f8064..e5c2543 100644
--- a/espeak.c
+++ b/espeak.c
@@ -272,7 +272,7 @@ int initialize_espeak(struct synth_t *s)
 		espeak_SetSynthCallback(acsint_callback);
 
 	/* Setup initial voice parameters */
-	if (defaultVoice) {
+	if (defaultVoice && defaultVoice[0]) {
 		set_voice(s, defaultVoice);
 		free(defaultVoice);
 		defaultVoice = NULL;