diff --git a/contrib/pylightning/lightning/plugin.py b/contrib/pylightning/lightning/plugin.py
index b6448b649..848c7663e 100644
--- a/contrib/pylightning/lightning/plugin.py
+++ b/contrib/pylightning/lightning/plugin.py
@@ -343,7 +343,7 @@ class PluginStream(object):
     def write(self, payload):
         self.buff += payload
 
-        if payload[-1] == '\n':
+        if len(payload) > 0 and payload[-1] == '\n':
             self.flush()
 
     def flush(self):