diff --git a/ospd_openvas/preferencehandler.py b/ospd_openvas/preferencehandler.py
index fc00b12a..4112dc87 100644
--- a/ospd_openvas/preferencehandler.py
+++ b/ospd_openvas/preferencehandler.py
@@ -281,7 +281,9 @@ def prepare_nvt_preferences(self):
         items_list = []
         for key, val in self._nvts_params.items():
             items_list.append('%s|||%s' % (key, val))
-        self.kbdb.add_scan_preferences(self._openvas_scan_id, items_list)
+
+        if items_list:
+            self.kbdb.add_scan_preferences(self._openvas_scan_id, items_list)
 
     @staticmethod
     def build_alive_test_opt_as_prefs(
diff --git a/tests/test_preferencehandler.py b/tests/test_preferencehandler.py
index 3da8a153..7ad96040 100644
--- a/tests/test_preferencehandler.py
+++ b/tests/test_preferencehandler.py
@@ -583,3 +583,15 @@ def test_prepare_nvt_prefs(self, mock_kb):
             p._openvas_scan_id,
             alive_test_out,
         )
+
+    @patch('ospd_openvas.db.KbDB')
+    def test_prepare_nvt_prefs_no_prefs(self, mock_kb):
+        w = DummyDaemon()
+
+        p = PreferenceHandler('456-789', mock_kb, w.scan_collection, None)
+        p._nvts_params = {}
+        p._openvas_scan_id = '456-789'
+        p.kbdb.add_scan_preferences = MagicMock()
+        p.prepare_nvt_preferences()
+
+        p.kbdb.add_scan_preferences.assert_not_called()