diff --git a/test/error_code_test2.cpp b/test/error_code_test2.cpp
index e423653..aca7a05 100644
--- a/test/error_code_test2.cpp
+++ b/test/error_code_test2.cpp
@@ -24,6 +24,9 @@ int main()
 
     BOOST_TEST_EQ( ec.to_string(), std::string( "system:0" ) );
 
+    // when len is 0 buffer can be nullptr
+    ec.message( nullptr, 0 );
+
     {
         sys::error_code ec2( ec );
 
diff --git a/test/error_condition_test3.cpp b/test/error_condition_test3.cpp
index fefecf3..2c83e10 100644
--- a/test/error_condition_test3.cpp
+++ b/test/error_condition_test3.cpp
@@ -24,6 +24,9 @@ int main()
 
     BOOST_TEST_EQ( en.to_string(), std::string( "cond:generic:0" ) );
 
+    // when len is 0 buffer can be nullptr
+    en.message( nullptr, 0 );
+
     {
         sys::error_condition en2( en );