diff --git a/src/Validator/Validator.php b/src/Validator/Validator.php
index fe3ea2e..d838d65 100644
--- a/src/Validator/Validator.php
+++ b/src/Validator/Validator.php
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ class Validator_Validator
                         $ruleObj->$p_name = $p_value;
                     }
                     $this->addRule($ruleObj);
-                } else {
+                } else if (!empty($rule)) {
                     throw new Exception('Unknown validation rule "' . $rule . "'");
                 }
             }