diff --git a/library/iconbadges.tcl b/library/iconbadges.tcl
index 2884a4a74..b6fd8dab1 100644
--- a/library/iconbadges.tcl
+++ b/library/iconbadges.tcl
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ if {[tk windowingsystem] eq "x11"} {
 	}
 
 	if {!([string is integer -strict $badgenumber] && $badgenumber > 0)
-	        && $badgenumber ne "!"} {
+	        && $badgenumber ne "!" && $badgenumber ne ""} {
 	    return -code error "can't use \"$badgenumber\" as icon badge"
 	}