diff --git a/src/database/sql/sql.go b/src/database/sql/sql.go
index b0abcf7fcd..81d0f20d77 100644
--- a/src/database/sql/sql.go
+++ b/src/database/sql/sql.go
@@ -59,6 +59,9 @@ func Register(name string, driver driver.Driver) {
 	if driver == nil {
 		panic("sql: Register driver is nil")
 	}
+	if name == "" {
+		panic("sql: Driver name is empty")
+	}
 	if _, dup := drivers[name]; dup {
 		panic("sql: Register called twice for driver " + name)
 	}