diff --git a/src/plugins/controls/label-freetype/plugin.c b/src/plugins/controls/label-freetype/plugin.c
index 917b04c0..be206207 100644
--- a/src/plugins/controls/label-freetype/plugin.c
+++ b/src/plugins/controls/label-freetype/plugin.c
@@ -135,6 +135,9 @@ find_default_font_path (void)
 
         pclose (fp);
 
+        if (strcmp (fc_match_out, "") == 0)
+                return FONT_FALLBACK;
+
         return fc_match_out;
 }
 
@@ -152,6 +155,9 @@ find_default_monospace_font_path (void)
 
         pclose (fp);
 
+        if (strcmp (fc_match_out, "") == 0)
+                return FONT_FALLBACK;
+
         return fc_match_out;
 }