diff --git a/grub-core/kern/parser.c b/grub-core/kern/parser.c
index 619db3122..d1cf061ad 100644
--- a/grub-core/kern/parser.c
+++ b/grub-core/kern/parser.c
@@ -146,6 +146,7 @@ grub_parser_split_cmdline (const char *cmdline,
   int i;
 
   *argc = 0;
+  *argv = NULL;
   do
     {
       if (!rd || !*rd)
@@ -207,6 +208,10 @@ grub_parser_split_cmdline (const char *cmdline,
       (*argc)++;
     }
 
+  /* If there are no args, then we're done. */
+  if (!*argc)
+    return 0;
+
   /* Reserve memory for the return values.  */
   args = grub_malloc (bp - buffer);
   if (!args)