diff --git a/qt/aqt/reviewer.py b/qt/aqt/reviewer.py
index 3583734e82c..a2d15d529b6 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/reviewer.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/reviewer.py
@@ -610,8 +610,11 @@ def typeAnsAnswerFilter(self, buf: str) -> str:
         # munge correct value
         expected = self.typeCorrect
         provided = self.typedAnswer
-        # compare with typed answer
-        output = self.mw.col.compare_answer(expected, provided)
+        if not provided:
+            output = expected
+        else:
+            # compare with typed answer
+            output = self.mw.col.compare_answer(expected, provided)
         # and update the type answer area
         def repl(match: Match) -> str:
             # can't pass a string in directly, and can't use re.escape as it