diff --git a/gramps/gen/lib/place.py b/gramps/gen/lib/place.py
index 0dc98ada5..b3522a1b8 100644
--- a/gramps/gen/lib/place.py
+++ b/gramps/gen/lib/place.py
@@ -571,7 +571,7 @@ class Place(CitationBase, NoteBase, MediaBase, UrlBase, PrimaryObject):
         :param acquisition: instance to merge
         :type acquisition: :class:'~.place.Place
         """
-        if acquisition.name not in self.alt_names:
+        if acquisition.name and (acquisition.name not in self.alt_names):
             self.alt_names.append(acquisition.name)
 
         for addendum in acquisition.alt_names: