diff --git a/stdplugins/markdown.py b/stdplugins/markdown.py
index e646bdd..f0325ee 100644
--- a/stdplugins/markdown.py
+++ b/stdplugins/markdown.py
@@ -96,6 +96,9 @@ MATCHERS = [
 
 
 def parse(message, old_entities=None):
+    if not message:
+        return message
+
     entities = []
     old_entities = sorted(old_entities or [], key=lambda e: e.offset)