diff --git a/lib/awful/widget.lua.in b/lib/awful/widget.lua.in
index e51c2030..94dd8140 100644
--- a/lib/awful/widget.lua.in
+++ b/lib/awful/widget.lua.in
@@ -325,9 +325,9 @@ local function widget_tasklist_label_common(c, args)
         status_image = capi.image(floating_icon)
     end
     if c.minimized then
-        name = util.escape(c.icon_name) or ""
+        name = util.escape(c.icon_name) or util.escape("<untitled>")
     else
-        name = util.escape(c.name) or ""
+        name = util.escape(c.name) or util.escape("<untitled>")
     end
     if capi.client.focus == c then
         bg = bg_focus