diff --git a/shirt b/shirt
index b1b28f2..6395ecc 100755
--- a/shirt
+++ b/shirt
@@ -60,7 +60,11 @@ def spawn_program(program, *arguments, placeholder_out, placeholder_in)
       placeholder_in.close
     end
 
-    exec program, *arguments
+    if arguments.empty?
+      exec [program, ""]
+    else
+      exec program, *arguments
+    end
   }
 end