diff --git a/helix-term/src/commands.rs b/helix-term/src/commands.rs
index c4f25e88..3839cbe6 100644
--- a/helix-term/src/commands.rs
+++ b/helix-term/src/commands.rs
@@ -4654,9 +4654,13 @@ fn indent(cx: &mut Context) {
 
     let transaction = Transaction::change(
         doc.text(),
-        lines.into_iter().map(|line| {
+        lines.into_iter().filter_map(|line| {
+            let is_blank = doc.text().line(line).chunks().all(|s| s.trim().is_empty());
+            if is_blank {
+                return None;
+            }
             let pos = doc.text().line_to_char(line);
-            (pos, pos, Some(indent.clone()))
+            Some((pos, pos, Some(indent.clone())))
         }),
     );
     doc.apply(&transaction, view.id);