diff --git a/scripts/base/frameworks/input/readers/ascii.bro b/scripts/base/frameworks/input/readers/ascii.bro
index 9f630975a2..14c04757f7 100644
--- a/scripts/base/frameworks/input/readers/ascii.bro
+++ b/scripts/base/frameworks/input/readers/ascii.bro
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ export {
 	const set_separator = "," &redef;
 
 	## String to use for empty fields.
-	const empty_field = "-" &redef;
+	const empty_field = "(empty)" &redef;
 
 	## String to use for an unset &optional field.
 	const unset_field = "-" &redef;