diff --git a/tests/tck/utils/table.py b/tests/tck/utils/table.py
index 7505c2a30ff..ca3f550542c 100644
--- a/tests/tck/utils/table.py
+++ b/tests/tck/utils/table.py
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@
 
 
 def _parse_value(cell: str, variables: dict) -> Value:
+    if not cell:
+        cell = "EMPTY"
     m = pattern.match(cell)
     if m:
         var = m.group(1)