diff --git a/modules/user.module b/modules/user.module
index c3e1af9213e..96d40b99bf1 100644
--- a/modules/user.module
+++ b/modules/user.module
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ function user_save($account, $array = array(), $category = 'account') {
  * Verify the syntax of the given name.
  */
 function user_validate_name($name) {
-  if (!$name) return t('You must enter a username.');
+  if (!strlen($name)) return t('You must enter a username.');
   if (substr($name, 0, 1) == ' ') return t('The username cannot begin with a space.');
   if (substr($name, -1) == ' ') return t('The username cannot end with a space.');
   if (ereg('  ', $name)) return t('The username cannot contain multiple spaces in a row.');