diff --git a/jargon-core/src/main/java/org/irods/jargon/core/query/MetaDataAndDomainData.java b/jargon-core/src/main/java/org/irods/jargon/core/query/MetaDataAndDomainData.java
index 432e39bde..31e49b827 100644
--- a/jargon-core/src/main/java/org/irods/jargon/core/query/MetaDataAndDomainData.java
+++ b/jargon-core/src/main/java/org/irods/jargon/core/query/MetaDataAndDomainData.java
@@ -184,8 +184,8 @@ private MetaDataAndDomainData(final MetadataDomain metadataDomain, final String
 			throw new JargonException("domain object unique name is null or empty");
 		}
 
-		if (avuAttribute == null || avuAttribute.isEmpty()) {
-			throw new JargonException("avu attribute is null or empty");
+		if (avuAttribute == null) {
+			throw new JargonException("avu attribute is null");
 		}
 
 		if (avuValue == null) {