diff --git a/riseide/laxer/codepad.py b/riseide/laxer/codepad.py
index a25e2c5a517a2439b1325ad74789f98bc997bf87..0df2fe4e088851734cb143b0b71c5a559c5dcc27 100644
--- a/riseide/laxer/codepad.py
+++ b/riseide/laxer/codepad.py
@@ -273,7 +273,10 @@ class CodePad(stc.StyledTextCtrl):
         for i in range(10): self.Tab()
         start, end = self.GetSelection()
         cont = self.GetSelectedText()
-        iscomment = cont.strip()[0]=='#'
+        if cont == '':
+            iscomment = False
+        else:
+            iscomment = cont.strip()[0]=='#'
         if not iscomment and com!=False:
             rptxt = cont.replace(' '*40, '# ')
             self.ReplaceSelection(rptxt)