diff --git a/src/v4l.c b/src/v4l.c
index 963b3580..4e6a0a7d 100644
--- a/src/v4l.c
+++ b/src/v4l.c
@@ -545,7 +545,7 @@ v4l_adapter_build_msg(v4l_adapter_t *va)
 	     va->va_current_transport->tht_v4l_frequency);
     htsmsg_add_str(m, "currentMux", buf);
   } else {
-    htsmsg_add_str(m, "currentMux", "");
+    htsmsg_add_str(m, "currentMux", "- inactive -");
   }
 
   return m;