diff --git a/core/temporary_buffer.hh b/core/temporary_buffer.hh
index d7c5033f1a..a15c2071e0 100644
--- a/core/temporary_buffer.hh
+++ b/core/temporary_buffer.hh
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ public:
     explicit temporary_buffer(size_t size)
         : _buffer(static_cast<CharType*>(malloc(size * sizeof(CharType)))), _size(size)
         , _deleter(make_free_deleter(_buffer)) {
-        if (!_buffer) {
+        if (size && !_buffer) {
             throw std::bad_alloc();
         }
     }