1 files changed, 3 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/pp_sys.c b/pp_sys.c
index f1eb1b9474..472f041aa6 100644
--- a/pp_sys.c
+++ b/pp_sys.c
@@ -4952,6 +4952,9 @@ PP(pp_gservent)
 	char *proto = POPpbytex;
 	unsigned short port = (unsigned short)POPu;
 
+	if (proto && !*proto)
+	    proto = Nullch;
+
 #ifdef HAS_HTONS
 	port = PerlSock_htons(port);
 #endif