diff --git a/css-doodle.js b/css-doodle.js
index d105b78..9506789 100644
--- a/css-doodle.js
+++ b/css-doodle.js
@@ -602,6 +602,8 @@ class Doodle extends HTMLElement {
       this.getAttribute('grid') || '1x1'
     );
 
+    if (!this.innerHTML.trim()) return false;
+
     // clear content before throwing error
     try {
       compiled = compile(this.innerHTML, this.size);
diff --git a/src/index.js b/src/index.js
index 2292773..c32fc57 100644
--- a/src/index.js
+++ b/src/index.js
@@ -52,6 +52,8 @@ class Doodle extends HTMLElement {
       this.getAttribute('grid') || '1x1'
     );
 
+    if (!this.innerHTML.trim()) return false;
+
     // clear content before throwing error
     try {
       compiled = compile(this.innerHTML, this.size);