diff --git a/java/compiler/impl/src/com/intellij/compiler/backwardRefs/DirtyScopeHolder.java b/java/compiler/impl/src/com/intellij/compiler/backwardRefs/DirtyScopeHolder.java
index e759aa0dfba5..c97664720d28 100644
--- a/java/compiler/impl/src/com/intellij/compiler/backwardRefs/DirtyScopeHolder.java
+++ b/java/compiler/impl/src/com/intellij/compiler/backwardRefs/DirtyScopeHolder.java
@@ -165,7 +165,9 @@ public class DirtyScopeHolder extends UserDataHolderBase {
   }
 
   private GlobalSearchScope calculateDirtyScope() {
-    GlobalSearchScope dirtyModuleScope = GlobalSearchScope.union(getAllDirtyModules()
+    final Set<Module> dirtyModules = getAllDirtyModules();
+    if (dirtyModules.isEmpty()) return myExcludedFilesScope;
+    GlobalSearchScope dirtyModuleScope = GlobalSearchScope.union(dirtyModules
                                                                    .stream()
                                                                    .map(Module::getModuleWithDependentsScope)
                                                                    .toArray(GlobalSearchScope[]::new));