diff --git a/terminaltables/width_and_alignment.py b/terminaltables/width_and_alignment.py
index 326fd5a..88180b4 100644
--- a/terminaltables/width_and_alignment.py
+++ b/terminaltables/width_and_alignment.py
@@ -84,9 +84,6 @@ def max_dimensions(table_data):
     :return: 2-item tuple of n-item lists. Column widths and row heights.
     :rtype: tuple
     """
-    if not table_data:
-        return list(), list()
-
     widths = [0] * max(len(r) for r in table_data)
     heights = [0] * len(table_data)
 
diff --git a/tests/test_width_and_alignment_max_dimensions.py b/tests/test_width_and_alignment_max_dimensions.py
index 73540e8..3d5493a 100644
--- a/tests/test_width_and_alignment_max_dimensions.py
+++ b/tests/test_width_and_alignment_max_dimensions.py
@@ -1,13 +1,14 @@
 """Test function in module."""
 
 import pytest
+from colorama import Fore
+from colorclass import Color
+from termcolor import colored
 
 from terminaltables.width_and_alignment import max_dimensions
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize('table_data,expected_w,expected_h', [
-    ([], [], []),
-
     ([[]], [], [0]),
     ([['']], [0], [0]),
     ([['', '']], [0, 0], [0]),
@@ -67,3 +68,13 @@ def test_trailing_newline():
         ['\nRow Four'],
     ]
     assert max_dimensions(table_data) == ([9], [2, 2, 2, 2])
+
+
+def test_colors_cjk_rtl():
+    """Test color text, CJK characters, and RTL characters."""
+    table_data = [
+        [Color(u'{blue}Test{/blue}')],
+        [Fore.BLUE + u'Test' + Fore.RESET],
+        [colored(u'Test', 'blue')],
+    ]
+    assert max_dimensions(table_data) == ([4], [1, 1, 1])