diff --git a/lib/utils/checkpayload.py b/lib/utils/checkpayload.py
index 888a6e349..c0e6bff35 100644
--- a/lib/utils/checkpayload.py
+++ b/lib/utils/checkpayload.py
@@ -33,6 +33,9 @@ def checkPayload(payload):
     PHPIDS filter rules
     """
 
+    if not payload:
+        return
+
     global rules
 
     detected = False