--- loncom/homework/matchresponse.pm	2014/02/27 14:41:34	1.90
+++ loncom/homework/matchresponse.pm	2014/05/05 17:40:54	1.91
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 # The LearningOnline Network with CAPA
 # Full matching style response
 #
-# $Id: matchresponse.pm,v 1.90 2014/02/27 14:41:34 bisitz Exp $
+# $Id: matchresponse.pm,v 1.91 2014/05/05 17:40:54 bisitz Exp $
 #
 # Copyright Michigan State University Board of Trustees
 #
@@ -581,6 +581,9 @@ sub format_prior_answer {
     
     foreach my $name (@{ $foil_order }) {
 	my $item = &HTML::Entities::encode(shift(@items),'<>&"');
+        if ($item eq '') {
+            $item = '&nbsp;';
+        }
 	$output .= '<tr><td>'.$item.'</td></tr>';
     }
     return if (!defined($output));