diff --git a/lib/IUtils/IDEMode.rakumod b/lib/IUtils/IDEMode.rakumod
index 276fc9b..8985e11 100644
--- a/lib/IUtils/IDEMode.rakumod
+++ b/lib/IUtils/IDEMode.rakumod
@@ -36,7 +36,11 @@ class SExp::Actions {
     }
 
     method str-content($/) {
-        make $/.Str.subst(/\\(.)/, {$0}, :g)
+        if $/.Str && $0 {
+            make $/.Str.subst(/\\(.)/, {$0}, :g)
+        } else {
+            make ''
+        }
     }
 }