diff --git a/pywws2weewx.py b/pywws2weewx.py
index 828be0e..56ae9aa 100644
--- a/pywws2weewx.py
+++ b/pywws2weewx.py
@@ -81,6 +81,8 @@ def __init__(self, idx, delay, hum_in, temp_in, hum_out, temp_out, abs_pressure,
 		self.wind_ave                 = wind_ave
 		self.wind_gust                = wind_gust
 		self.wind_dir                 = wind_dir					# integer 0=N, 1=NNE..., 4=E..., 15=NNW
+		if len(wind_dir) == 0							# handle empty wind_dir
+			wind_dir = 0
 		if self.decode_status()["invalid_wind_dir"]:				# The error code 0x800 (2048)
 			self.wind_dir_deg         = -9999						# -9999 is invalid wind in weewx_import
 		else:
@@ -396,4 +398,4 @@ def write_data_file(datafile, dataset):
 		stats.print_stats()
 		statsfile.close()
 		sys.exit(0)
-	sys.exit(main())
\ No newline at end of file
+	sys.exit(main())