diff --git a/src/datasets/load.py b/src/datasets/load.py
index 7c94b33046d..f38329abb06 100644
--- a/src/datasets/load.py
+++ b/src/datasets/load.py
@@ -1871,6 +1871,7 @@ def load_dataset_builder(
     if (
         path in _PACKAGED_DATASETS_MODULES
         and data_files is None
+        and not data_files
         and dataset_module.builder_configs_parameters.builder_configs[0].data_files is None
     ):
         error_msg = f"Please specify the data files or data directory to load for the {path} dataset builder."
diff --git a/src/datasets/packaged_modules/folder_based_builder/folder_based_builder.py b/src/datasets/packaged_modules/folder_based_builder/folder_based_builder.py
index eee1ac9d61a..f62df051c4d 100644
--- a/src/datasets/packaged_modules/folder_based_builder/folder_based_builder.py
+++ b/src/datasets/packaged_modules/folder_based_builder/folder_based_builder.py
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ def _info(self):
         return datasets.DatasetInfo(features=self.config.features)
 
     def _split_generators(self, dl_manager):
-        if not self.config.data_files:
+        if self.config.data_files is not None and not self.config.data_files:
             raise ValueError(f"At least one data file must be specified, but got data_files={self.config.data_files}")
         dl_manager.download_config.extract_on_the_fly = True
         # Do an early pass if: