diff --git a/spyder/widgets/comboboxes.py b/spyder/widgets/comboboxes.py
index 9799c7af1af..3e8314fd2c8 100644
--- a/spyder/widgets/comboboxes.py
+++ b/spyder/widgets/comboboxes.py
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ def selected(self):
 
     def validate(self, qstr, editing=True):
         """Validate entered path"""
-        if self.selected_text == qstr:
+        if self.selected_text == qstr and qstr != '':
             self.valid.emit(True, True)
             return