diff --git a/src/controller.rs b/src/controller.rs
index 6f38a908..f91c0554 100644
--- a/src/controller.rs
+++ b/src/controller.rs
@@ -80,7 +80,9 @@ impl<'b> Controller<'b> {
         input_file: InputFile<'a>,
     ) -> Result<()> {
         printer.print_header(writer, input_file)?;
-        self.print_file_ranges(printer, writer, reader, &self.config.line_ranges)?;
+        if !reader.first_line.is_empty() {
+            self.print_file_ranges(printer, writer, reader, &self.config.line_ranges)?;
+        }
         printer.print_footer(writer)?;
 
         Ok(())