diff --git a/mastodon/streaming.py b/mastodon/streaming.py
index e9bf799..0bb79fe 100644
--- a/mastodon/streaming.py
+++ b/mastodon/streaming.py
@@ -185,6 +185,9 @@ def _parse_line(self, line, event):
         return event
 
     def _dispatch(self, event):
+        if not event:
+            return
+
         try:
             name = event['event']
             data = event['data']
diff --git a/tests/test_streaming.py b/tests/test_streaming.py
index 0f66519..b793ec8 100644
--- a/tests/test_streaming.py
+++ b/tests/test_streaming.py
@@ -115,6 +115,14 @@ def test_heartbeat():
     assert listener.heartbeats == 2
 
 
+
+def test_heartbeat_empty_line():
+    """Empty event after heartbeat should not raise an error."""
+    listener = Listener()
+    # Heartbeat followed by empty line triggers _dispatch with empty event
+    listener.handle_stream_([':thump', ''])
+    assert listener.heartbeats == 1
+
 def test_status():
     listener = Listener()
     listener.handle_stream_([