diff --git a/adafruit_display_text/label.py b/adafruit_display_text/label.py
index c7d3809..05aef0e 100755
--- a/adafruit_display_text/label.py
+++ b/adafruit_display_text/label.py
@@ -261,7 +261,7 @@ def _update_text(
                 not self._text
                 or old_c >= len(self._text)
                 or character != self._text[old_c]
-            ):
+            ) and (glyph.width > 0 and glyph.height > 0):
                 try:
                     # pylint: disable=unexpected-keyword-arg
                     face = displayio.TileGrid(