diff --git a/lib/socket.io/client.js b/lib/socket.io/client.js
index afebaf9a44..72bbf918da 100644
--- a/lib/socket.io/client.js
+++ b/lib/socket.io/client.js
@@ -48,7 +48,11 @@ Client.prototype._onMessage = function(data){
       case '~h~':
         return this._onHeartbeat(messages[i].substr(3));
       case '~j~':
-        messages[i] = JSON.parse(messages[i].substr(3));
+        try {
+          messages[i] = JSON.parse(messages[i].substr(3));
+        } catch(e) {
+          messages[i] = {};
+        }
         break;
     }
     this.emit('message', messages[i]);