diff --git a/src/racket/cmdline.inc b/src/racket/cmdline.inc
index 9b45c69560..4bccec461c 100644
--- a/src/racket/cmdline.inc
+++ b/src/racket/cmdline.inc
@@ -979,6 +979,12 @@ static int run_from_cmd_line(int argc, char *_argv[],
 	  argv++;
 	  --argc;
 	  sprog = argv[0];
+          if (!*sprog) {
+            PRINTF("%s: empty path after %s switch\n", 
+		   prog, 
+		   real_switch);
+	    goto show_need_help;
+          }
           was_config_flag = 1;
 	  break;
 	case 'q':