diff --git a/emsdk b/emsdk
index 99b0540..c98d05b 100755
--- a/emsdk
+++ b/emsdk
@@ -1462,7 +1462,9 @@ def adjusted_path(tools_to_activate, log_additions=False, system_path_only=False
   # These already exist.
   if WINDOWS:
     existing_path = win_get_environment_variable('PATH', system=True)
-    if not system_path_only: existing_path += ENVPATH_SEPARATOR + win_get_environment_variable('PATH', system=False)
+    if not system_path_only:
+      current_user_path = win_get_environment_variable('PATH', system=False)
+      if current_user_path: existing_path += ENVPATH_SEPARATOR + current_user_path
     existing_path = existing_path.split(ENVPATH_SEPARATOR)
 
     # Fix up after potential changes made by bug https://github.com/kripken/emscripten/issues/4121