diff --git a/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/data/item.js b/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/data/item.js
index 964536e09..b6599c70c 100644
--- a/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/data/item.js
+++ b/chrome/content/zotero/xpcom/data/item.js
@@ -4074,7 +4074,12 @@ Zotero.Item.prototype.fromJSON = Zotero.Promise.coroutine(function* (json) {
 			break;
 		
 		case 'filename':
-			this.attachmentFilename = val;
+			if (val === "") {
+				Zotero.logError("Ignoring empty attachment filename in item JSON");
+			}
+			else {
+				this.attachmentFilename = val;
+			}
 			break;
 		
 		case 'path':