diff --git a/main.py b/main.py
index e4ec72f..1790b75 100644
--- a/main.py
+++ b/main.py
@@ -490,9 +490,13 @@ def buffer_switch_cb(_, _signal, buffer_ptr):
 
         if room_buffer.should_send_read_marker:
             event_id = room_buffer.last_event_id
-            server.room_send_read_marker(
-                room_buffer.room.room_id, event_id)
-            room_buffer.last_read_event = event_id
+
+            # A buffer may not have any events, in that case no event id is
+            # here returned
+            if event_id:
+                server.room_send_read_marker(
+                    room_buffer.room.room_id, event_id)
+                room_buffer.last_read_event = event_id
 
         if room_buffer.members_fetched:
             return W.WEECHAT_RC_OK