diff --git a/rmw_zenoh_cpp/src/detail/buffer_pool.cpp b/rmw_zenoh_cpp/src/detail/buffer_pool.cpp
index 19d19546..1431005c 100644
--- a/rmw_zenoh_cpp/src/detail/buffer_pool.cpp
+++ b/rmw_zenoh_cpp/src/detail/buffer_pool.cpp
@@ -36,6 +36,8 @@ BufferPool::BufferPool()
       "rmw_zenoh_cpp",
       "Unable to read maximum buffer pool size, falling back to default.");
     max_size_ = DEFAULT_MAX_SIZE;
+  } else if (strcmp(env_value, "") == 0) {
+    max_size_ = DEFAULT_MAX_SIZE;
   } else {
     max_size_ = std::atoll(env_value);
   }