diff --git a/apps/openmw/mwgui/window_manager.cpp b/apps/openmw/mwgui/window_manager.cpp
index f4d40dbb7b..b6aebb58da 100644
--- a/apps/openmw/mwgui/window_manager.cpp
+++ b/apps/openmw/mwgui/window_manager.cpp
@@ -745,7 +745,9 @@ void WindowManager::onBirthSignDialogDone()
 {
     if (birthSignDialog)
     {
-        environment.mMechanicsManager->setPlayerBirthsign(birthSignDialog->getBirthId());
+        const std::string birthSignId = birthSignDialog->getBirthId();
+        if (!birthSignId.empty())
+            environment.mMechanicsManager->setPlayerBirthsign(birthSignId);
         removeDialog(birthSignDialog);
     }