diff --git a/common/str.cpp b/common/str.cpp
index 5d051de83ff..416b4d828f5 100644
--- a/common/str.cpp
+++ b/common/str.cpp
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@
 
 namespace Common {
 
+const String String::emptyString;
+
 String::String(const char *str, int len) {
 	_refCount = new int(1);
 	if (str && len != 0) {
diff --git a/common/str.h b/common/str.h
index 9c3949d2e95..af318ee3d09 100644
--- a/common/str.h
+++ b/common/str.h
@@ -78,6 +78,8 @@ protected:
 	int		_capacity;
 
 public:
+	static const String emptyString;
+
 	String() : _capacity(0) { _refCount = new int(1); }
 	String(const char *str, int len = -1);
 	String(const ConstString &str);