diff --git a/lib/utils/transcription-utils.js b/lib/utils/transcription-utils.js
index c942c3e8..f7023118 100644
--- a/lib/utils/transcription-utils.js
+++ b/lib/utils/transcription-utils.js
@@ -270,7 +270,7 @@ const normalizeDeepgram = (evt, channel, language, shortUtterance) => {
     language_code: language,
     channel_tag: channel,
     is_final: shortUtterance ? evt.is_final : evt.speech_final,
-    alternatives: [alternatives[0]],
+    alternatives: alternatives.length ? [alternatives[0]] : [],
     vendor: {
       name: 'deepgram',
       evt: copy