diff --git a/src/wp-admin/includes/class-wp-list-table.php b/src/wp-admin/includes/class-wp-list-table.php
index d1b89c7bad..6467280fb3 100644
--- a/src/wp-admin/includes/class-wp-list-table.php
+++ b/src/wp-admin/includes/class-wp-list-table.php
@@ -902,6 +902,10 @@ class WP_List_Table {
 		$columns = $this->get_columns();
 		$column = '';
 
+		if ( empty( $columns ) ) {
+			return $column;
+		}
+
 		// We need a primary defined so responsive views show something,
 		// so let's fall back to the first non-checkbox column.
 		foreach ( $columns as $col => $column_name ) {