diff --git a/platform/qt/dmxwidget/dmxwidget.cpp b/platform/qt/dmxwidget/dmxwidget.cpp
index ee080e8..48b87ea 100644
--- a/platform/qt/dmxwidget/dmxwidget.cpp
+++ b/platform/qt/dmxwidget/dmxwidget.cpp
@@ -66,6 +66,8 @@ void DmxWidget::parseMessageBuffer()
   uint16_t length;
   const int fixed_length = 5;               // start + label + 2xlength + end
   auto fast_forward = [this](int offset = 0) {
+    if (message_rx_buffer_.isEmpty())
+      return false;
     if (offset == 0)
       offset = message_rx_buffer_.indexOf(ENTTEC::Pro::START_DELIMITER);
     if (offset < 0)