diff --git a/gedcom7/parser.py b/gedcom7/parser.py
index 8a7cfce..60a537f 100644
--- a/gedcom7/parser.py
+++ b/gedcom7/parser.py
@@ -14,15 +14,16 @@ def loads(string: str) -> list[GedcomStructure]:
     for match in re.finditer(grammar.line, string):
         data = match.groupdict()
         level = int(data["level"])
+        linestr = data["linestr"] or ""
         # handle continuation lines
         if data["tag"] == const.CONT:
-            context[level - 1].text += "\n" + data["linestr"]
+            context[level - 1].text += "\n" + linestr
             continue
         structure = GedcomStructure(
             tag=ext.get(data["tag"]) or data["tag"],
             pointer=data["pointer"],
             xref=data["xref"],
-            text=data["linestr"],
+            text=linestr,
         )
         # handle extension tags
         if (
diff --git a/test/test_parser.py b/test/test_parser.py
index d8b1571..fdf52fa 100644
--- a/test/test_parser.py
+++ b/test/test_parser.py
@@ -41,4 +41,46 @@ def test_maximal():
 def test_exttag():
     records = gedcom7.loads(GEDCOM_EXTTAG)
     assert len(records) == 3
-    assert records[1].children[1].tag == "http://example.com/placeholder"
\ No newline at end of file
+    assert records[1].children[1].tag == "http://example.com/placeholder"
+
+
+GEDCOM_BLANK_CONT = """0 HEAD
+1 GEDC
+2 VERS 7.0
+0 @I1@ INDI
+1 NOTE This is a note
+2 CONT
+2 CONT with a blank line above
+0 TRLR
+"""
+
+
+def test_blank_cont_line():
+    """Test that blank CONT lines are handled correctly."""
+    records = gedcom7.loads(GEDCOM_BLANK_CONT)
+    assert len(records) == 3
+    indi = records[1]
+    note = indi.children[0]
+    assert note.tag == "NOTE"
+    assert note.text == "This is a note\n\nwith a blank line above"
+
+
+GEDCOM_EMPTY_VALUE = """0 HEAD
+1 GEDC
+2 VERS 7.0
+0 @O1@ OBJE
+1 FILE
+2 FORM image/jpeg
+0 TRLR
+"""
+
+
+def test_empty_line_value():
+    """Test that lines with no value (like empty FILE) are handled correctly."""
+    records = gedcom7.loads(GEDCOM_EMPTY_VALUE)
+    assert len(records) == 3
+    obje = records[1]
+    file_struct = obje.children[0]
+    assert file_struct.tag == "FILE"
+    assert file_struct.text == ""
+    assert file_struct.children[0].tag == "FORM"
\ No newline at end of file