diff --git a/neqo-transport/src/send_stream.rs b/neqo-transport/src/send_stream.rs
index 8771ec7765..1a73cc70be 100644
--- a/neqo-transport/src/send_stream.rs
+++ b/neqo-transport/src/send_stream.rs
@@ -1269,7 +1269,7 @@ impl SendStream {
             return Err(Error::FinalSizeError);
         }
 
-        let buf = if buf.is_empty() || (self.avail() == 0) {
+        let buf = if self.avail() == 0 {
             return Ok(0);
         } else if self.avail() < buf.len() {
             if atomic {