diff --git a/src/lda/main.c b/src/lda/main.c
index 35f159c9e1..67bd3de600 100644
--- a/src/lda/main.c
+++ b/src/lda/main.c
@@ -330,7 +330,8 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 		case 'f':
 			/* envelope sender address */
 			if (smtp_address_parse_path(ctx.pool, optarg,
-			    SMTP_ADDRESS_PARSE_FLAG_BRACKETS_OPTIONAL,
+			    SMTP_ADDRESS_PARSE_FLAG_BRACKETS_OPTIONAL |
+				SMTP_ADDRESS_PARSE_FLAG_ALLOW_EMPTY,
 			    &mail_from, &errstr) < 0) {
 				i_fatal_status(EX_USAGE,
 					"Invalid -f parameter: %s", errstr);