diff --git a/src/vs/editor/common/config/editorOptions.ts b/src/vs/editor/common/config/editorOptions.ts
index e7606b218cc..0cc2bd3227e 100644
--- a/src/vs/editor/common/config/editorOptions.ts
+++ b/src/vs/editor/common/config/editorOptions.ts
@@ -1714,7 +1714,7 @@ export class EditorFontLigatures extends BaseEditorOption<EditorOption.fontLigat
 			return this.defaultValue;
 		}
 		if (typeof input === 'string') {
-			if (input === 'false') {
+			if (input === 'false' || input.length === 0) {
 				return EditorFontLigatures.OFF;
 			}
 			if (input === 'true') {