diff --git a/libisofs/libisofs.h b/libisofs/libisofs.h
index a483dff..d2cab73 100644
--- a/libisofs/libisofs.h
+++ b/libisofs/libisofs.h
@@ -4768,6 +4768,10 @@ int iso_node_set_name(IsoNode *node, const char *name);
  * The returned string belongs to the node and must not be modified nor
  * freed. Use strdup if you really need your own copy.
  *
+ * Up to version 1.4.2 inquiry of the root directory name returned NULL,
+ * which is a bug in the light of above description.
+ * Since 1.4.2 the return value is an empty string.
+ *
  * @since 0.6.2
  */
 const char *iso_node_get_name(const IsoNode *node);
diff --git a/libisofs/node.c b/libisofs/node.c
index ca68436..4bb2f7d 100644
--- a/libisofs/node.c
+++ b/libisofs/node.c
@@ -414,6 +414,10 @@ int iso_image_set_node_name(IsoImage *image, IsoNode *node, const char *name,
  */
 const char *iso_node_get_name(const IsoNode *node)
 {
+    static char *root = {""};
+
+    if (node->name == NULL)
+        return root;
     return node->name;
 }