diff --git a/hed/models/column_metadata.py b/hed/models/column_metadata.py
index 33bb3f356..4fa43a6a5 100644
--- a/hed/models/column_metadata.py
+++ b/hed/models/column_metadata.py
@@ -78,6 +78,8 @@ def set_hed_strings(self, new_strings):
         if isinstance(new_strings, pd.Series):
             if self.column_type == ColumnType.Categorical:
                 new_strings = new_strings.to_dict()
+            elif new_strings.empty:
+                return False
             else:
                 new_strings = new_strings.iloc[0]