diff --git a/bitbake/lib/bb/data_smart.py b/bitbake/lib/bb/data_smart.py
index 79d591a237..0cd41683d9 100644
--- a/bitbake/lib/bb/data_smart.py
+++ b/bitbake/lib/bb/data_smart.py
@@ -784,13 +784,14 @@ class DataSmart(MutableMapping):
                 if match:
                     removes.extend(self.expand(r).split())
 
-            filtered = filter(lambda v: v not in removes,
-                              value.split())
-            value = " ".join(filtered)
-            if expand and var in self.expand_cache:
-                 # We need to ensure the expand cache has the correct value
-                 # flag == "_content" here
-                self.expand_cache[var].value = value
+            if removes:
+                filtered = filter(lambda v: v not in removes,
+                                  value.split())
+                value = " ".join(filtered)
+                if expand and var in self.expand_cache:
+                    # We need to ensure the expand cache has the correct value
+                    # flag == "_content" here
+                    self.expand_cache[var].value = value
         return value
 
     def delVarFlag(self, var, flag, **loginfo):