diff --git a/matlab/gdat.m b/matlab/gdat.m
index e21551bfb14986490b743ed75d0a0fe12fa88cdb..942b0dd5bc26b87db8cc082a9f597c36ef92aa35 100644
--- a/matlab/gdat.m
+++ b/matlab/gdat.m
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ try
     args = [{shot,data_request},varargin_eff];
   end
   % treat multiple shot numbers
-  if nargin > 0 && isnumeric(shot)
+  if nargin > 0 && isnumeric(shot) && ~isempty(shot)
     args_in = args;
     for i=1:numel(shot)
       args{1} = shot(i);