diff --git a/machine/scripture/parse.py b/machine/scripture/parse.py
index 1856c93..22675f3 100644
--- a/machine/scripture/parse.py
+++ b/machine/scripture/parse.py
@@ -101,9 +101,13 @@ def parse_selection(selection: str, versification: Versification) -> Dict[int, L
 def get_chapters(
     selections: Union[str, List[str]], versification: Versification = ORIGINAL_VERSIFICATION
 ) -> Dict[int, List[int]]:
+    chapters = {}
     if isinstance(selections, str):
         selections = selections.strip()
 
+        if len(selections) == 0:
+            return chapters
+
         delimiter = ";"
         if ";" in selections:
             delimiter = ";"
@@ -117,7 +121,6 @@ def get_chapters(
 
         selections = selections.split(delimiter)
 
-    chapters = {}
     for selection in selections:
         selection = selection.strip()
 
diff --git a/tests/scripture/test_parse.py b/tests/scripture/test_parse.py
index 1e9ce31..ac2e6ff 100644
--- a/tests/scripture/test_parse.py
+++ b/tests/scripture/test_parse.py
@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ def test_get_chapters() -> None:
     test_bible[66] = test_chapters_rev
     assert get_chapters("NT;-MAT3-5,17;-REV21,22") == test_bible
     assert get_chapters("MAT-JHN;-MAT-LUK") == {43: []}
+    assert get_chapters("") == {}
 
     with raises(ValueError):
         # wrong order of chapters
@@ -111,10 +112,6 @@ def test_get_chapters() -> None:
         # invalid book/length of book name in subtraction
         get_chapters("-MAT-FLUM")
 
-    with raises(ValueError):
-        # empty string
-        get_chapters("")
-
     with raises(ValueError):
         # invalid name
         get_chapters("ABC")