diff --git a/aegisub/audio_box.cpp b/aegisub/audio_box.cpp
index a4fbe9fde..6b81a01a8 100644
--- a/aegisub/audio_box.cpp
+++ b/aegisub/audio_box.cpp
@@ -519,7 +519,6 @@ void AudioBox::OnKaraoke(wxCommandEvent &event) {
 		}
 		karaokeMode = false;
 		audioKaraoke->enabled = false;
-		SetKaraokeButtons();
 		audioDisplay->SetDialogue();
 		audioKaraoke->Refresh(false);
 	}
@@ -528,9 +527,9 @@ void AudioBox::OnKaraoke(wxCommandEvent &event) {
 		wxLogDebug(_T("AudioBox::OnKaraoke: karaoke disabled, enabling"));
 		karaokeMode = true;
 		audioKaraoke->enabled = true;
-		SetKaraokeButtons();
 		audioDisplay->SetDialogue();
 	}
+	SetKaraokeButtons();
 
 	wxLogDebug(_T("AudioBox::OnKaraoke: returning"));
 }
diff --git a/aegisub/audio_karaoke.cpp b/aegisub/audio_karaoke.cpp
index b3be87669..7e8f5259d 100644
--- a/aegisub/audio_karaoke.cpp
+++ b/aegisub/audio_karaoke.cpp
@@ -201,6 +201,10 @@ void AudioKaraoke::AutoSplit() {
 		newText += wxString::Format(_T("{\\k%i}"),curlen) + token;
 	}
 
+	// Workaround for bug #503
+	// Make the line one blank syllable if it's completely blank
+	if (newText == _T("")) newText = wxString::Format(_T("{\\k%d}"), timelen);
+
 	// Load
 	must_rebuild = true;
 	AssDialogue newDiag(diag->GetEntryData());