diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 84dc174..c2be43d 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 # Change Log
 
 ## Unreleased
+- fix(FileDialog::set_directory): fallback to default if path is empty
 
 ## 0.9.0
 - feat: customize button text, Close #74
diff --git a/src/file_dialog.rs b/src/file_dialog.rs
index de5ec42..e248442 100644
--- a/src/file_dialog.rs
+++ b/src/file_dialog.rs
@@ -58,7 +58,12 @@ impl FileDialog {
     ///   * Windows
     ///   * Mac
     pub fn set_directory<P: AsRef<Path>>(mut self, path: P) -> Self {
-        self.starting_directory = Some(path.as_ref().into());
+        let path = path.as_ref();
+        if path.to_str().map(|p| p.is_empty()).unwrap_or(false) {
+            self.starting_directory = None;
+        } else {
+            self.starting_directory = Some(path.into());
+        }
         self
     }