diff --git a/elements/svc-map/extra-data.d/10-merge-svc-map-files b/elements/svc-map/extra-data.d/10-merge-svc-map-files
index 57ccbb94..4757771f 100755
--- a/elements/svc-map/extra-data.d/10-merge-svc-map-files
+++ b/elements/svc-map/extra-data.d/10-merge-svc-map-files
@@ -48,6 +48,8 @@ def main():
     element_paths = os.environ.get("ELEMENTS_PATH").split(':')
     service_names = dict()
     for element in elements:
+        if not element.strip():
+            continue
         for element_path in element_paths:
             data_path = os.path.join(element_path, element, "svc-map")
             if os.path.exists(data_path):