diff --git a/src/args.c b/src/args.c
index e098f47..c08d660 100644
--- a/src/args.c
+++ b/src/args.c
@@ -159,8 +159,14 @@ void args_parse(Parameters *params, int argc, char **argv) {
       puts(PACKAGE " " VERSION);
       exit(EXIT_SUCCESS);
     } else if (is_arg(arg, "-p") || is_arg(arg, "--project")) {
+      if (strlen(value) == 0) {
+        invalid_value(arg, value);
+      }
       strlcpy(params->project_path, value, STR_LEN);
     } else if (is_arg(arg, "-c") || is_arg(arg, "--config")) {
+      if (strlen(value) == 0) {
+        invalid_value(arg, value);
+      }
       strlcpy(params->config_file, value, STR_LEN);
     } else if (is_arg(arg, "-hr") || is_arg(arg, "--hot-reload")) {
       params->hot_reload = true;
@@ -218,6 +224,9 @@ void args_parse(Parameters *params, int argc, char **argv) {
           log_error("maximum video input reached");
           exit(EXIT_FAILURE);
         }
+        if (strlen(value) == 0) {
+          invalid_value(arg, value);
+        }
         strlcpy(params->video_in.values[params->video_in.length++], value,
                 STR_LEN);
       } else if (is_arg(arg, "-vb") || is_arg(arg, "--video-buffers")) {