diff --git a/src/stick_table.c b/src/stick_table.c
index a6ae3a2..1cb240b 100644
--- a/src/stick_table.c
+++ b/src/stick_table.c
@@ -609,6 +609,9 @@
 	if (!static_table_key.key)
 		return NULL;
 
+	if (static_table_key.key_len == 0)
+		return NULL;
+
 	if ((static_table_key.key_len < t->key_size) && (t->type != STKTABLE_TYPE_STRING)) {
 		/* need padding with null */
 
@@ -635,7 +638,6 @@
 		memset(static_table_key.key + static_table_key.key_len, 0, t->key_size - static_table_key.key_len);
 	}
 
-
 	return &static_table_key;
 }