diff --git a/pypdf/_text_extraction/__init__.py b/pypdf/_text_extraction/__init__.py
index ea8adf56c..37af3cd54 100644
--- a/pypdf/_text_extraction/__init__.py
+++ b/pypdf/_text_extraction/__init__.py
@@ -214,9 +214,10 @@ def handle_tj(
     rtl_dir: bool,
     visitor_text: Optional[Callable[[Any, Any, Any, Any, Any], None]],
 ) -> Tuple[str, bool]:
+
     m = mult(tm_matrix, cm_matrix)
     orientation = orient(m)
-    if orientation in orientations:
+    if orientation in orientations and len(operands) > 0:
         if isinstance(operands[0], str):
             text += operands[0]
         else: