diff --git a/paper-api/src/main/java/org/bukkit/entity/Player.java b/paper-api/src/main/java/org/bukkit/entity/Player.java
index 7d21ee64c9b9..f563cf486eea 100644
--- a/paper-api/src/main/java/org/bukkit/entity/Player.java
+++ b/paper-api/src/main/java/org/bukkit/entity/Player.java
@@ -1063,7 +1063,7 @@ default void sendMultiBlockChange(@NotNull Map<? extends io.papermc.paper.math.P
      *
      * @param entity the entity whose equipment to change
      * @param items the slots to change, where the values are the items to which
-     * the slot should be changed. null values will set the slot to air
+     * the slot should be changed. null values will set the slot to air, empty map is not allowed
      */
     public void sendEquipmentChange(@NotNull LivingEntity entity, @NotNull Map<EquipmentSlot, ItemStack> items);
 
diff --git a/paper-server/src/main/java/org/bukkit/craftbukkit/entity/CraftPlayer.java b/paper-server/src/main/java/org/bukkit/craftbukkit/entity/CraftPlayer.java
index f80f89a79faa..47d6e61bd429 100644
--- a/paper-server/src/main/java/org/bukkit/craftbukkit/entity/CraftPlayer.java
+++ b/paper-server/src/main/java/org/bukkit/craftbukkit/entity/CraftPlayer.java
@@ -1161,6 +1161,7 @@ public void sendEquipmentChange(LivingEntity entity, EquipmentSlot slot, ItemSta
     public void sendEquipmentChange(LivingEntity entity, Map<EquipmentSlot, ItemStack> items) {
         Preconditions.checkArgument(entity != null, "Entity cannot be null");
         Preconditions.checkArgument(items != null, "items cannot be null");
+        Preconditions.checkArgument(!items.isEmpty(), "items cannot be empty");
 
         if (this.getHandle().connection == null) {
             return;