diff --git a/CRM/Utils/File.php b/CRM/Utils/File.php
index c5906f4b90d3..fec063d9e7a6 100644
--- a/CRM/Utils/File.php
+++ b/CRM/Utils/File.php
@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ public static function createDir($path, $abort = TRUE) {
    */
   public static function cleanDir($target, $rmdir = TRUE, $verbose = TRUE) {
     static $exceptions = array('.', '..');
-    if ($target == '' || $target == '/') {
+    if ($target == '' || $target == '/' || !$target) {
       throw new Exception("Overly broad deletion");
     }