diff --git a/pyzebra/ccl_io.py b/pyzebra/ccl_io.py
index 450be76..4fb673e 100644
--- a/pyzebra/ccl_io.py
+++ b/pyzebra/ccl_io.py
@@ -137,6 +137,10 @@ def parse_1D(fileobj, data_type):
         ccl_second_line = CCL_SECOND_LINE
 
         for line in fileobj:
+            # skip empty/whitespace lines before start of any scan
+            if not line or line.isspace():
+                continue
+
             s = {}
 
             # first line