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diff --git a/subst.c b/subst.c
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--- a/subst.c
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+++ b/subst.c
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@@ -7962,7 +7962,7 @@ parameter_brace_transform (varname, value, ind, xform, rtype, quoted, pflags, fl
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       return ((char *)NULL);
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     }
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-  if (valid_parameter_transform (xform) == 0)
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+  if (xform[0] == 0 || valid_parameter_transform (xform) == 0)
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     {
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       this_command_name = oname;
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 #if 0 /* TAG: bash-5.2 Martin Schulte <gnu@schrader-schulte.de> 10/2020 */