diff --git a/python/web/library/fileformat.py b/python/web/library/fileformat.py
index b189217..74e3b47 100644
--- a/python/web/library/fileformat.py
+++ b/python/web/library/fileformat.py
@@ -64,6 +64,8 @@ def read_field_value_int(val):
 
 def read_field_value_dict(val):
     d = {}
+    if val.strip() == '':
+        return d
     for line in val.strip().split('\n'):
         key, value = line.strip().split(' ', 1)
         if key in d: