diff --git a/dvc/repo/plots/__init__.py b/dvc/repo/plots/__init__.py
index fe526d2891..7fcae7fd19 100644
--- a/dvc/repo/plots/__init__.py
+++ b/dvc/repo/plots/__init__.py
@@ -462,11 +462,12 @@ def _resolve_definitions(
                     fs, data_path, props=plot_props | props, onerror=onerror
                 )
                 # use config for parent directory with most specific definition
-                unpacked["data"] = {
-                    k: v
-                    for k, v in unpacked["data"].items()
-                    if _closest_parent(fs, k, plot_ids_parents) == data_path
-                }
+                if unpacked.get("data"):
+                    unpacked["data"] = {
+                        k: v
+                        for k, v in unpacked["data"].items()
+                        if _closest_parent(fs, k, plot_ids_parents) == data_path
+                    }
                 dpath.merge(result, unpacked)
         elif _matches(targets, config_path, plot_id):
             adjusted_props = _adjust_sources(fs, plot_props, config_dir)
diff --git a/tests/integration/plots/test_plots.py b/tests/integration/plots/test_plots.py
index d53c5a467b..c41ec86576 100644
--- a/tests/integration/plots/test_plots.py
+++ b/tests/integration/plots/test_plots.py
@@ -634,3 +634,15 @@ def test_nested_x_defn_collection(tmp_dir, dvc, scm, capsys):
         {"step": 1, "Max_Leaf_Nodes": "50", "rev": "workspace"},
         {"step": 2, "Max_Leaf_Nodes": "500", "rev": "workspace"},
     ]
+
+
+def test_plots_empty_directory(tmp_dir, dvc, scm, capsys):
+    (tmp_dir / "empty").mkdir()
+    (tmp_dir / "dvc.yaml").dump({"plots": [{"empty": {}}]})
+
+    scm.add(["dvc.yaml"])
+    scm.commit("commit dvc files")
+
+    html_path, _, split_json_result = call(capsys)
+    assert split_json_result == {}
+    assert html_path == ""