--- src/raptor_uri.c
+++ src/raptor_uri.c
@@ -1336,9 +1336,9 @@
      !strncmp((const char*)base_detail->scheme, 
               (const char*)reference_detail->scheme,
               base_detail->scheme_len) &&
-     !strncmp((const char*)base_detail->authority, 
+     (base_detail->authority_len == 0 || !strncmp((const char*)base_detail->authority, 
               (const char*)reference_detail->authority,
-              base_detail->authority_len)) {
+              base_detail->authority_len))) {
     
     if(!base_detail->path) {
       if(reference_detail->path) {