diff --git a/scripts/pi-hole/php/savesettings.php b/scripts/pi-hole/php/savesettings.php
index 6b536357..b558bba7 100644
--- a/scripts/pi-hole/php/savesettings.php
+++ b/scripts/pi-hole/php/savesettings.php
@@ -137,17 +137,21 @@ function readAdlists()
 	{
 		while (($line = fgets($handle)) !== false)
 		{
-			if(substr($line, 0, 1) === "#")
+			if(strlen($line) < 3)
+			{
+				continue;
+			}
+			elseif($line[0] === "#")
 			{
 				// Comments start either with "##" or "# "
-				if(substr($line, 1, 1) !== "#" &&
-			           substr($line, 1, 1) !== " ")
+				if($line[1] !== "#" &&
+			           $line[1] !== " ")
 				{
 					// Commented list
 					array_push($list, [false,rtrim(substr($line, 1))]);
 				}
 			}
-			elseif(strlen($line) > 1)
+			else
 			{
 				// Active list
 				array_push($list, [true,rtrim($line)]);