diff --git a/degesch.c b/degesch.c
index 6b32f7b..8541526 100644
--- a/degesch.c
+++ b/degesch.c
@@ -8152,7 +8152,7 @@ handle_command_buffer (struct handler_args *a)
 		return true;
 
 	bool result = true;
-	if (!strcasecmp_ascii (action, "list"))
+	if (!*action || !strcasecmp_ascii (action, "list"))
 		show_buffers_list (ctx);
 	else if (!strcasecmp_ascii (action, "clear"))
 	{