diff --git a/scripts/summarize_top_output.py b/scripts/summarize_top_output.py
index 618cde1..dfd4299 100755
--- a/scripts/summarize_top_output.py
+++ b/scripts/summarize_top_output.py
@@ -63,6 +63,8 @@ def summarize_top(top_outs, target):
         zombie_summary = {}
         short_summary = top_out[:top_header + cpu_hoggers]
         for line in top_out[top_header:]:
+            if not line:            # trailing blank line before "end: top output"
+                continue
             cmd = line.split(maxsplit=max_cols)[-1]
             if cmd.startswith(HOME):
                 b = cmd.split(HOME)[1].split("/")[0]