diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/patches.py b/lib/matplotlib/patches.py
index ac86eebc9bc3..708afffd7f35 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/patches.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/patches.py
@@ -1269,7 +1269,7 @@ def __init__(self, x, y, dx, dy, width=0.001, length_includes_head=False,
         else:
             length = distance + head_length
         if not length:
-            verts = []  # display nothing if empty
+            verts = np.empty([0, 2])  # display nothing if empty
         else:
             # start by drawing horizontal arrow, point at (0,0)
             hw, hl, hs, lw = head_width, head_length, overhang, width
diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_axes.py b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_axes.py
index 45384d6b30fa..58e6e2126b06 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_axes.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/tests/test_axes.py
@@ -379,6 +379,12 @@ def test_arrow_simple():
                  head_length=theta / 10)
 
 
+def test_arrow_empty():
+    _, ax = plt.subplots()
+    # Create an empty FancyArrow
+    ax.arrow(0, 0, 0, 0, head_length=0)
+
+
 def test_annotate_default_arrow():
     # Check that we can make an annotation arrow with only default properties.
     fig, ax = plt.subplots()