1 files changed, 8 insertions, 2 deletions
diff --git a/tex/context/base/l-table.lua b/tex/context/base/l-table.lua
index e165acba6..70c04e69c 100644
--- a/tex/context/base/l-table.lua
+++ b/tex/context/base/l-table.lua
@@ -597,8 +597,14 @@ local function serialize(root,name,_handle,_reduce,_noquotes,_hexify)
     else
         handle("t={")
     end
-    if root and next(root) then
-        do_serialize(root,name,"",0)
+    if root then
+        -- The dummy access will initialize a table that has a delayed initialization
+        -- using a metatable.
+        local dummy = root.whatever
+        -- Let's forget about empty tables.
+        if next(root) then
+            do_serialize(root,name,"",0)
+        end
     end
     handle("}")
 end