diff --git a/includes/script.js b/includes/script.js
index 541cffb..ed3e599 100644
--- a/includes/script.js
+++ b/includes/script.js
@@ -104,10 +104,14 @@ $(document).ready(function() {
     }
 
     function handleBitsyGameData() {
-        bitsyData = {};
-
         var input = $('#bitsy-data').val();
 
+        if ( ! input) {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        bitsyData = {};
+
         // get palettes
         var palettes = input.match(/PAL (.*)\s(NAME (.*)\s)?([0-9,]*[\s]){3}/g);
 
diff --git a/readme.md b/readme.md
index 41c3d47..9233d91 100644
--- a/readme.md
+++ b/readme.md
@@ -43,7 +43,6 @@ if (src.match(/^(file|https)?:\/\/|^\/\//)) {
 ## bugs
 
 * does not work on ipad (can't scroll to the right?)
-* completely fails if the user clears the game data field
 
 ## to do