diff --git a/qemu/scripts/qapi.py b/qemu/scripts/qapi.py
index 3d57e600..0debaa9d 100644
--- a/qemu/scripts/qapi.py
+++ b/qemu/scripts/qapi.py
@@ -1006,6 +1006,7 @@ class QAPISchemaObjectType(QAPISchemaType):
         return self.name.startswith('q_')
 
     def c_name(self):
+        assert self.name != 'q_empty'
         return QAPISchemaType.c_name(self)
 
     def c_type(self):