diff --git a/bashlex/parser.py b/bashlex/parser.py
index 6980ee75..d406d551 100644
--- a/bashlex/parser.py
+++ b/bashlex/parser.py
@@ -647,6 +647,8 @@ def parse(s, strictmode=True, expansionlimit=None, convertpos=False, proceedoner
     '''
     p = _parser(s, strictmode=strictmode, expansionlimit=expansionlimit, proceedonerror=proceedonerror)
     parts = [p.parse()]
+    if parts[0] is None or isinstance(parts[0], str):
+        return []
 
     class endfinder(ast.nodevisitor):
         def __init__(self):
diff --git a/tests/test_parser.py b/tests/test_parser.py
index edffe9ca..fd6f7bda 100644
--- a/tests/test_parser.py
+++ b/tests/test_parser.py
@@ -125,6 +125,22 @@ def assertASTsEquals(self, s, expectedlist, **parserargs):
             msg = 'ASTs not equal for %r\n\nresult:\n\n%s\n\n!=\n\nexpected:\n\n%s' % (s, result.dump(), expected.dump())
             self.assertEqual(result, expected, msg)
 
+    def test_empty(self):
+        s = ''
+        self.assertASTsEquals(s, [])
+
+        s = '\n'
+        self.assertASTsEquals(s, [])
+
+        s = ' '
+        self.assertASTsEquals(s, [])
+
+        s = '# Comment'
+        self.assertASTsEquals(s, [])
+
+        s = '# Comment\n# Another comment'
+        self.assertASTsEquals(s, [])
+
     def test_command(self):
         s = 'a b c'
         self.assertASTEquals(s,