diff --git a/webform_validation.validators.inc b/webform_validation.validators.inc
index fc71750..777a951 100644
--- a/webform_validation.validators.inc
+++ b/webform_validation.validators.inc
@@ -443,7 +443,7 @@ function webform_validation_webform_validation_validate($validator_name, $items,
       case 'min_words':
         $min_words = $rule['data'];
         foreach ($items as $key => $val) {
-          if ($val != '' && (count(preg_split("/[\s]+/", trim($val))) < $min_words)) {
+          if (($val != '' && (count(preg_split("/[\s]+/", trim($val))) < $min_words)) || ($val == '' && $min_words == 1)) {
             $error = format_plural($min_words, '%item needs to be at least 1 word long', '%item needs to be at least @count words long', array('%item' => $components[$key]['name']));
             $errors[$key] = $error;
           }