diff --git a/lib/mail/fields/return_path_field.rb b/lib/mail/fields/return_path_field.rb
index b56bbe504..08e7a0f3e 100644
--- a/lib/mail/fields/return_path_field.rb
+++ b/lib/mail/fields/return_path_field.rb
@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ class ReturnPathField < StructuredField
     CAPITALIZED_FIELD = 'Return-Path'
     
     def initialize(value = nil, charset = 'utf-8')
+      value = nil if value == '<>'
       self.charset = charset
       super(CAPITALIZED_FIELD, strip_field(FIELD_NAME, value), charset)
       self.parse
diff --git a/spec/mail/fields/return_path_field_spec.rb b/spec/mail/fields/return_path_field_spec.rb
index 84474900e..34dc8e27f 100644
--- a/spec/mail/fields/return_path_field_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/mail/fields/return_path_field_spec.rb
@@ -11,6 +11,11 @@
     rp.encoded.should == "Return-Path: <mikel@test.lindsaar.net>\r\n"
   end
 
+  it "should accept <>" do
+    rp = Mail::ReturnPathField.new('<>')
+    rp.encoded.should == "Return-Path: <>\r\n"
+  end
+  
   it "should set the return path" do
     mail = Mail.new do
       to "to@someemail.com"