diff --git a/gst/gstpad.c b/gst/gstpad.c
index abe3a2d3de..17fc0cc460 100644
--- a/gst/gstpad.c
+++ b/gst/gstpad.c
@@ -2420,6 +2420,7 @@ gst_pad_fixate_caps (GstPad * pad, GstCaps * caps)
 
   g_return_if_fail (GST_IS_PAD (pad));
   g_return_if_fail (caps != NULL);
+  g_return_if_fail (!gst_caps_is_empty (caps));
 
   if (gst_caps_is_fixed (caps))
     return;