diff --git a/src/Symfony/Component/Console/Helper/TableHelper.php b/src/Symfony/Component/Console/Helper/TableHelper.php
index c18f29598a..f1ef5b701e 100644
--- a/src/Symfony/Component/Console/Helper/TableHelper.php
+++ b/src/Symfony/Component/Console/Helper/TableHelper.php
@@ -162,6 +162,10 @@ class TableHelper extends Helper
      */
     public function setPaddingChar($paddingChar)
     {
+        if (!$paddingChar) {
+            throw new \LogicException('The padding char must not be empty');
+        }
+
         $this->paddingChar = $paddingChar;
 
         return $this;