diff --git a/redaction-service-v1/redaction-service-server-v1/src/main/java/com/iqser/red/service/redaction/v1/server/redaction/model/Section.java b/redaction-service-v1/redaction-service-server-v1/src/main/java/com/iqser/red/service/redaction/v1/server/redaction/model/Section.java
index 50925791..c1e010e2 100644
--- a/redaction-service-v1/redaction-service-server-v1/src/main/java/com/iqser/red/service/redaction/v1/server/redaction/model/Section.java
+++ b/redaction-service-v1/redaction-service-server-v1/src/main/java/com/iqser/red/service/redaction/v1/server/redaction/model/Section.java
@@ -942,7 +942,7 @@ public class Section {
                                @Argument(ArgumentType.STRING) String reason,
                                @Argument(ArgumentType.LEGAL_BASIS) String legalBasis) {
 
-        if (searchText.contains(headline)) {
+        if (!headline.isBlank() && searchText.contains(headline)) {
 
             Set<Entity> found = findEntities(headline.trim(), type, false, true, ruleNumber, reason, legalBasis, Engine.RULE, false);
             EntitySearchUtils.addEntitiesWithHigherRank(entities, found, dictionary);