diff --git a/pagure/lib/encoding_utils.py b/pagure/lib/encoding_utils.py
index 23eb4ef..2fb75b3 100644
--- a/pagure/lib/encoding_utils.py
+++ b/pagure/lib/encoding_utils.py
@@ -81,6 +81,8 @@ def detect_encodings(data):
     detector.reset()
     detector.feed(data)
     result = detector.close()
+    if not result:
+        return {'ascii': 1.0}
     encodings = {result['encoding']: result['confidence']}
     for prober in detector._mCharSetProbers:
         if prober: