diff --git a/km3io/tools.py b/km3io/tools.py
index 85653c7fed5080c4693d9cb6f4418052f934d80b..2f62aeb889fb63893c3eddf402e5810099f3acec 100644
--- a/km3io/tools.py
+++ b/km3io/tools.py
@@ -30,6 +30,8 @@ class cached_property:
 
 def unfold_indices(obj, indices):
     """Unfolds an index chain and returns the corresponding item"""
+    if not indices:
+        return obj
     original_obj = obj
     for depth, idx in enumerate(indices):
         try: