diff --git a/gtk/gtklabel.c b/gtk/gtklabel.c
index af23f133ba..f97e73b8aa 100644
--- a/gtk/gtklabel.c
+++ b/gtk/gtklabel.c
@@ -4546,7 +4546,7 @@ gtk_label_set_text_with_mnemonic (GtkLabel    *label,
 
   g_object_freeze_notify (G_OBJECT (label));
 
-  gtk_label_set_label_internal (label, g_strdup (str ? str : ""));
+  gtk_label_set_label_internal (label, g_strdup (str));
   gtk_label_set_use_markup_internal (label, FALSE);
   gtk_label_set_use_underline_internal (label, TRUE);