diff --git a/automotive/vehicle/2.0/default/common/src/VehicleUtils.cpp b/automotive/vehicle/2.0/default/common/src/VehicleUtils.cpp
index 311cdef..9146fa1 100644
--- a/automotive/vehicle/2.0/default/common/src/VehicleUtils.cpp
+++ b/automotive/vehicle/2.0/default/common/src/VehicleUtils.cpp
@@ -102,10 +102,10 @@
 }
 
 void shallowCopyHidlStr(hidl_string* dest, const hidl_string& src) {
-    if (!src.empty()) {
+    if (src.empty()) {
+        dest->clear();
+    } else {
         dest->setToExternal(src.c_str(), src.size());
-    } else if (dest->size() > 0) {
-        dest->setToExternal(0, 0);
     }
 }