diff --git a/legacy/elementary/src/lib/elc_hoversel.c b/legacy/elementary/src/lib/elc_hoversel.c
index 51625da768..175e1fb9c2 100644
--- a/legacy/elementary/src/lib/elc_hoversel.c
+++ b/legacy/elementary/src/lib/elc_hoversel.c
@@ -421,6 +421,7 @@ _activate(Evas_Object *obj)
    sd->expanded = EINA_TRUE;
 
    if (elm_widget_disabled_get(obj)) return;
+   if (!sd->items) return;
 
    sd->hover = elm_hover_add(sd->hover_parent);
    elm_widget_sub_object_add(obj, sd->hover);
@@ -794,7 +795,6 @@ _elm_hoversel_item_add(Eo *obj, Elm_Hoversel_Data *sd, const char *label, const
      snprintf(buf, sizeof(buf), "hoversel_vertical_entry/%s",
               elm_widget_style_get(obj));
 
-
    VIEW(item) = bt = elm_button_add(obj);
    elm_widget_mirrored_set(bt, elm_widget_mirrored_get(obj));
    elm_object_style_set(bt, buf);