diff --git a/src/Text/Pandoc/Writers/Markdown.hs b/src/Text/Pandoc/Writers/Markdown.hs
index c1d50c2ef..d5ec137cd 100644
--- a/src/Text/Pandoc/Writers/Markdown.hs
+++ b/src/Text/Pandoc/Writers/Markdown.hs
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ inlineToMarkdown (Link txt (Src src tit)) =
 inlineToMarkdown (Link txt (Ref ref)) = 
   let first = char '[' <> inlineListToMarkdown txt <> char ']'
       second = if (txt == ref) 
-                 then empty
+                 then text "[]"
                  else char '[' <> inlineListToMarkdown ref <> char ']' in
       first <> second
 inlineToMarkdown (Image alternate (Src source tit)) = 
diff --git a/tests/writer.markdown b/tests/writer.markdown
index f41501e37..54b4b3f79 100644
--- a/tests/writer.markdown
+++ b/tests/writer.markdown
@@ -531,13 +531,13 @@ Foo [bar][a].
 
 With [embedded [brackets]][b].
 
-[b] by itself should be a link.
+[b][] by itself should be a link.
 
-Indented [once].
+Indented [once][].
 
-Indented [twice].
+Indented [twice][].
 
-Indented [thrice].
+Indented [thrice][].
 
 This should [not][] be a link.
 
@@ -550,7 +550,7 @@ This should [not][] be a link.
 
   [b]: /url/
 
-Foo [bar].
+Foo [bar][].
 
 Foo [biz](/url/ "Title with &quot;quote&quot; inside").
 
@@ -595,7 +595,7 @@ Auto-links should not occur here: `<http://example.com/>`
 
 From "Voyage dans la Lune" by Georges Melies (1902):
 
-![lalune]
+![lalune][]
 
 
   [lalune]: lalune.jpg "Voyage dans la Lune"