--- img_assist.module	2009-02-04 21:26:23.000000000 +0000
+++ img_assist.module.new	2009-02-04 21:27:21.000000000 +0000
@@ -1724,9 +1724,12 @@ function theme_img_assist_inline($node, 
   elseif ($attributes['desc']) {
     $caption = $attributes['desc'];
   }
-  // Change the node title because img_assist_display() uses the node title for
+  // If $caption is set, change the node title because img_assist_display() uses the node title for
   // alt and title.
-  $node->title = strip_tags($caption);
+  if ($caption) {
+    $node->title = strip_tags($caption);
+  }
+
   $img_tag = img_assist_display($node, $size);
 
   // Always define an alignment class, even if it is 'none'.