diff --git a/bec_widgets/utils/entry_validator.py b/bec_widgets/utils/entry_validator.py
index 812a91c6..cc38b2a2 100644
--- a/bec_widgets/utils/entry_validator.py
+++ b/bec_widgets/utils/entry_validator.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ class EntryValidator:
         device = self.devices[name]
         description = device.describe()
 
-        if entry is None:
+        if entry is None or entry == "":
             entry = next(iter(device._hints), name) if hasattr(device, "_hints") else name
         if entry not in description:
             raise ValueError(f"Entry '{entry}' not found in device '{name}' signals")