diff --git a/base/iterator.jl b/base/iterator.jl
index c453fc469cfcb..977defd56f58d 100644
--- a/base/iterator.jl
+++ b/base/iterator.jl
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+isempty(itr) = done(itr, start(itr))
+
 # enumerate
 
 immutable Enumerate{I}