diff --git a/gfx/drivers/gl.c b/gfx/drivers/gl.c
index 391836a9bc..dc29a581cb 100644
--- a/gfx/drivers/gl.c
+++ b/gfx/drivers/gl.c
@@ -1245,7 +1245,7 @@ static bool gl_frame(void *data, const void *frame,
    }
 #endif
 
-   if (msg)
+   if (!string_is_empty(msg))
       font_driver_render_msg(video_info, NULL, msg, NULL);
 
 #ifdef HAVE_OVERLAY