diff --git a/basis/wrap/words/words-tests.factor b/basis/wrap/words/words-tests.factor
index 0d3116678e..4781a095eb 100644
--- a/basis/wrap/words/words-tests.factor
+++ b/basis/wrap/words/words-tests.factor
@@ -3,6 +3,9 @@
 USING: tools.test wrap.words sequences ;
 IN: wrap.words.tests
 
+{ { } } [ f 35 35 wrap-words ] unit-test
+{ { } } [ { } 35 35 wrap-words ] unit-test
+
 {
     {
         {
diff --git a/basis/wrap/words/words.factor b/basis/wrap/words/words.factor
index a8d87f75d5..48a73243f5 100644
--- a/basis/wrap/words/words.factor
+++ b/basis/wrap/words/words.factor
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ C: <wrapping-word> wrapping-word
     [ prefix ] when* ;
 
 : words>elements ( seq -- newseq )
-    split-words ?first-break make-elements ;
+    [ { } ] [ split-words ?first-break make-elements ] if-empty ;
 
 PRIVATE>