diff --git a/builtin/commit.c b/builtin/commit.c
index 77e3dc8..58b799c 100644
--- a/builtin/commit.c
+++ b/builtin/commit.c
@@ -1201,7 +1201,7 @@ static int parse_and_validate_options(int argc, const char *argv[],
 
 	if (also + only + all + interactive > 1)
 		die(_("Only one of --include/--only/--all/--interactive/--patch can be used."));
-	if (argc == 0 && (also || (only && !amend)))
+	if (argc == 0 && (also || (only && !amend && !allow_empty)))
 		die(_("No paths with --include/--only does not make sense."));
 	if (argc == 0 && only && amend)
 		only_include_assumed = _("Clever... amending the last one with dirty index.");