diff --git a/Timeline/Fl_Menu_Settings.C b/Timeline/Fl_Menu_Settings.C
index 2caa3a3..48ca5ed 100644
--- a/Timeline/Fl_Menu_Settings.C
+++ b/Timeline/Fl_Menu_Settings.C
@@ -229,6 +229,9 @@ path_pop ( char *path )
 
     int l = strlen( path );
 
+    if ( ! l )
+        return;
+
     if ( path[ l - 1 ] == '/' )
         path[ l - 1 ] = '\0';