diff --git a/webmention.go b/webmention.go
index 7cf8de8..3af4d65 100644
--- a/webmention.go
+++ b/webmention.go
@@ -287,6 +287,9 @@ func (db *database) getWebmentions(config *webmentionsRequestConfig) ([]*mention
 }
 
 func (db *database) getWebmentionsByAddress(address string) []*mention {
+	if address == "" {
+		return nil
+	}
 	mentions, _ := db.getWebmentions(&webmentionsRequestConfig{
 		target:      address,
 		status:      webmentionStatusApproved,
diff --git a/webmention_test.go b/webmention_test.go
index fb098dd..9490feb 100644
--- a/webmention_test.go
+++ b/webmention_test.go
@@ -58,6 +58,9 @@ func Test_webmentions(t *testing.T) {
 	mentions = app.db.getWebmentionsByAddress("https://example.com/täst")
 	assert.Len(t, mentions, 0)
 
+	mentions = app.db.getWebmentionsByAddress("")
+	assert.Len(t, mentions, 0)
+
 	mentions, err = app.db.getWebmentions(&webmentionsRequestConfig{
 		sourcelike: "example.net",
 	})