diff --git a/Lib/inspect.py b/Lib/inspect.py
index 74f3b3c3bbb..582bb0e7faf 100644
--- a/Lib/inspect.py
+++ b/Lib/inspect.py
@@ -2571,8 +2571,6 @@ class BoundArguments:
         empty dict.
         """
         arguments = self.arguments
-        if not arguments:
-            return
         new_arguments = []
         for name, param in self._signature.parameters.items():
             try:
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_inspect.py b/Lib/test/test_inspect.py
index 98d596e5e43..76cebcc2213 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_inspect.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_inspect.py
@@ -3325,6 +3325,13 @@ class TestBoundArguments(unittest.TestCase):
         ba.apply_defaults()
         self.assertEqual(list(ba.arguments.items()), [])
 
+        # Make sure a no-args binding still acquires proper defaults.
+        def foo(a='spam'): pass
+        sig = inspect.signature(foo)
+        ba = sig.bind()
+        ba.apply_defaults()
+        self.assertEqual(list(ba.arguments.items()), [('a', 'spam')])
+
 
 class TestSignaturePrivateHelpers(unittest.TestCase):
     def test_signature_get_bound_param(self):