diff --git a/src/xrc/xh_text.cpp b/src/xrc/xh_text.cpp
index 99a7b97f47..7a1b5c139b 100644
--- a/src/xrc/xh_text.cpp
+++ b/src/xrc/xh_text.cpp
@@ -69,7 +69,9 @@ wxObject *wxTextCtrlXmlHandler::DoCreateResource()
     if (HasParam(wxT("maxlength")))
         text->SetMaxLength(GetLong(wxT("maxlength")));
 
-    text->SetHint(GetText(wxS("hint")));
+    const wxString hint = GetText(wxS("hint"));
+    if (!hint.empty())
+        text->SetHint(hint);
 
     return text;
 }