diff --git a/ia-cdx-search b/ia-cdx-search
index de9cbcb..822a1b2 100755
--- a/ia-cdx-search
+++ b/ia-cdx-search
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ def usage():
 
 
 args = sys.argv[1:]
-if args[0].lower() in ('-h', '--help'):
+if not args or args[0].lower() in ('-h', '--help'):
 	usage()
 kwargs = {}
 while args[0].startswith('--'):