diff --git a/app/src/main/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/backup/v2/exporters/GroupArchiveExporter.kt b/app/src/main/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/backup/v2/exporters/GroupArchiveExporter.kt
index 3c1e84963d..38107f991a 100644
--- a/app/src/main/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/backup/v2/exporters/GroupArchiveExporter.kt
+++ b/app/src/main/java/org/thoughtcrime/securesms/backup/v2/exporters/GroupArchiveExporter.kt
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ private fun DecryptedMember.toRemote(): Group.Member {
     userId = aciBytes,
     role = role.toRemote(),
     joinedAtVersion = joinedAtRevision,
-    labelEmoji = labelEmoji,
+    labelEmoji = if (labelString.isNotBlank()) labelEmoji else "",
     labelString = labelString
   )
 }