Index: src/orca/Gecko.py
===================================================================
--- src/orca/Gecko.py	(revision 2172)
+++ src/orca/Gecko.py	(working copy)
@@ -3280,7 +3280,7 @@
                 if not self.onSameLine(extents, lineExtents):
                     if not crossedLineBoundary:
                         lineExtents = extents
-                        if currentChar != "\n":
+                        if currentChar and currentChar != "\n":
                             crossedLineBoundary = True
                         elif previousChar == "\n":
                             crossedLineBoundary = True
@@ -3368,7 +3368,7 @@
                 if not self.onSameLine(extents, lineExtents):
                     if not crossedLineBoundary:
                         lineExtents = extents
-                        if currentChar != "\n":
+                        if currentChar and currentChar != "\n":
                             crossedLineBoundary = True
                         elif previousChar == "\n":
                             crossedLineBoundary = True
