diff --git a/src/JsonReader.php b/src/JsonReader.php
index ee306d5..0da8ec0 100644
--- a/src/JsonReader.php
+++ b/src/JsonReader.php
@@ -447,9 +447,6 @@ private function readObjectKey()
             }
             $objectKey .= $character;
         }
-        if ($objectKey === '') {
-            throw new MalformedJsonException('Object key cannot be empty');
-        }
         $character = $this->characterIterator->getNextNonWhite();
         if ($character != ':') {
             throw new MalformedJsonException('Expected : after object key');