diff --git a/Library/Homebrew/cmd/install.rb b/Library/Homebrew/cmd/install.rb
index c000877058..732e96b004 100644
--- a/Library/Homebrew/cmd/install.rb
+++ b/Library/Homebrew/cmd/install.rb
@@ -219,6 +219,7 @@ module Homebrew
         end
       end
 
+      return if formulae.empty?
       perform_preinstall_checks
 
       formulae.each do |f|