diff --git a/packages/core/src/expander.ts b/packages/core/src/expander.ts
index b9b8728b73..92a84fcf2f 100644
--- a/packages/core/src/expander.ts
+++ b/packages/core/src/expander.ts
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ export async function expandTemplate(
     if (prompt.aici) trace.fence(prompt.aici, "yaml")
     trace.endDetails()
 
-    if (prompt.status !== "success")
+    if (prompt.status !== "success" || prompt.text === "")
         // cancelled
         return { status: prompt.status, statusText: prompt.statusText }