diff --git a/src_main/core/picli.cpp b/src_main/core/picli.cpp
index f225be31..af972ae1 100755
--- a/src_main/core/picli.cpp
+++ b/src_main/core/picli.cpp
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ void PICLI::parse() {
 				for (int j = 1; j < cra.length(); ++j) {
 					bool found = false;
 					piForeach (Argument & a, _args) {
-						if (a.short_key == cra[j]) {
+						if ((a.short_key != '\0') && (a.short_key == cra[j])) {
 							a.found = true;
 							last = &a;
 							found = true;