diff --git a/WHATS_NEW_DM b/WHATS_NEW_DM
index 3995187ac..f5d7dc2d9 100644
--- a/WHATS_NEW_DM
+++ b/WHATS_NEW_DM
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 Version 1.02.80 - 
 ==================================
+  Do not allow passing empty new name for dmsetup rename.
   Display any output returned by 'dmsetup message'.
   Add dm_task_get_message_response to libdevmapper.
 
diff --git a/libdm/libdm-common.c b/libdm/libdm-common.c
index 904335241..c0669cbd5 100644
--- a/libdm/libdm-common.c
+++ b/libdm/libdm-common.c
@@ -698,6 +698,11 @@ int dm_task_set_newname(struct dm_task *dmt, const char *newname)
 		return 0;
 	}
 
+	if (!*newname) {
+		log_error("Non empty new name is required.");
+		return 0;
+	}
+
 	if (!check_multiple_mangled_string_allowed(newname, "new name", mangling_mode))
 		return_0;