diff --git a/follow.py b/follow.py
index 5129d0d31..f57ef2fa9 100644
--- a/follow.py
+++ b/follow.py
@@ -1573,6 +1573,8 @@ def remove_follower(base_dir: str,
     new_followers_str = ''
     found = False
     for handle2 in followers_list:
+        if not handle2:
+            continue
         if handle2.lower() != handle:
             new_followers_str += handle2 + '\n'
         else: