diff --git a/packages/sprite/src/Sprite.js b/packages/sprite/src/Sprite.js
index 53c8576..75ed8a7 100644
--- a/packages/sprite/src/Sprite.js
+++ b/packages/sprite/src/Sprite.js
@@ -545,7 +545,7 @@
             return;
         }
 
-        this._texture = value;
+        this._texture = value || Texture.EMPTY;
         this.cachedTint = 0xFFFFFF;
 
         this._textureID = -1;