diff --git a/Misc/NEWS.d/next/C API/2019-08-23-11-35-55.bpo-37926.hnI5IQ.rst b/Misc/NEWS.d/next/C API/2019-08-23-11-35-55.bpo-37926.hnI5IQ.rst
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..20185330a8f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Misc/NEWS.d/next/C API/2019-08-23-11-35-55.bpo-37926.hnI5IQ.rst	
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Fix a crash in ``PySys_SetArgvEx(0, NULL, 0)``.
diff --git a/Python/sysmodule.c b/Python/sysmodule.c
index 6a49d899232..577b6fbbc75 100644
--- a/Python/sysmodule.c
+++ b/Python/sysmodule.c
@@ -3080,9 +3080,10 @@ make_sys_argv(int argc, wchar_t * const * argv)
 void
 PySys_SetArgvEx(int argc, wchar_t **argv, int updatepath)
 {
+    wchar_t* empty_argv[1] = {L""};
+
     if (argc < 1 || argv == NULL) {
         /* Ensure at least one (empty) argument is seen */
-        wchar_t* empty_argv[1] = {L""};
         argv = empty_argv;
         argc = 1;
     }