diff --git a/lib/ymlr/encode.ex b/lib/ymlr/encode.ex
index 702d1dd..9958dab 100644
--- a/lib/ymlr/encode.ex
+++ b/lib/ymlr/encode.ex
@@ -107,6 +107,8 @@ defmodule Ymlr.Encode do
   end
 
   @spec list(data :: list(), indent_level :: integer, opts :: Encoder.opts()) :: iodata()
+  def list([], indent_level, _), do: "[]"
+
   def list(data, indent_level, opts) do
     indentation = indent(indent_level)
 
diff --git a/test/ymlr/encode_test.exs b/test/ymlr/encode_test.exs
index a9ec976..301e25e 100644
--- a/test/ymlr/encode_test.exs
+++ b/test/ymlr/encode_test.exs
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ defmodule Ymlr.EncodeTest do
     end
 
     test "lists" do
-      assert_encode([], "")
+      assert_encode([], "[]")
       assert_encode([1], "- 1")
       assert_encode([""], ~s(- ""))
       assert_encode([1, nil, 2], "- 1\n-\n- 2")