diff --git a/hy/macros.py b/hy/macros.py
index d3530fd..32ac483 100644
--- a/hy/macros.py
+++ b/hy/macros.py
@@ -70,7 +70,12 @@ _wrappers = {
 
 def process(tree, module_name):
     if isinstance(tree, HyExpression):
-        fn = tree[0]
+        try:
+            fn = tree[0]
+        except IndexError:
+            ntree = HyList()
+            ntree.replace(tree)
+            return ntree
         if fn in ("quote", "quasiquote"):
             return tree
         ntree = HyExpression(
diff --git a/tests/native_tests/language.hy b/tests/native_tests/language.hy
index 534ae40..004f0b8 100644
--- a/tests/native_tests/language.hy
+++ b/tests/native_tests/language.hy
@@ -755,3 +755,7 @@
       (continue)) 
     (.append y x))
   (assert (= y [5])))
+
+(defn test-empty-list []
+  "Evaluate an empty list to a []"
+  (assert (= () [])))
\ No newline at end of file