diff --git a/meta/classes/utils.bbclass b/meta/classes/utils.bbclass
index e103351..9930a24 100644
--- a/meta/classes/utils.bbclass
+++ b/meta/classes/utils.bbclass
@@ -331,8 +331,10 @@ def explode_deps(s):
 
 def base_set_filespath(path, d):
 	filespath = []
-	extrapaths = (bb.data.getVar("FILESEXTRAPATHS", d, True) or "").split()
-	path = extrapaths + path
+	extrapaths = (bb.data.getVar("FILESEXTRAPATHS", d, True) or "")
+	# Don't prepend empty strings to the path list
+	if extrapaths != "":
+		path = extrapaths.split(":") + path
 	# The ":" ensures we have an 'empty' override
 	overrides = (bb.data.getVar("OVERRIDES", d, 1) or "") + ":"
 	for p in path: