diff --git a/console.py b/console.py
index 5b20bc1..2c73268 100644
--- a/console.py
+++ b/console.py
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ class HistoryConsole(code.InteractiveConsole):
         If the line begins with ">", we just strip it and evaluate as valid
         Python."""
         raw_input_line = input(prompt)
-        if raw_input_line[0] == '>':
+        if len(raw_input_line) > 0 and raw_input_line[0] == '>':
             return raw_input_line[1:]
         else:
             cmds = parse_cmds(raw_input_line)