diff --git a/classes/Status_network_tag.php b/classes/Status_network_tag.php
index 975392c761..7dab232897 100644
--- a/classes/Status_network_tag.php
+++ b/classes/Status_network_tag.php
@@ -79,7 +79,11 @@ class Status_network_tag extends Safe_DataObject
         if (Status_network::$cache) {
             $packed = Status_network::$cache->get($key);
             if (is_string($packed)) {
-                return explode('|', $packed);
+                if ($packed == '') {
+                    return array();
+                } else {
+                    return explode('|', $packed);
+                }
             }
         }