diff --git a/templates/league-table.php b/templates/league-table.php
index 9cbf6279..ccad1d65 100644
--- a/templates/league-table.php
+++ b/templates/league-table.php
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ unset( $data[0] );
 if ( ! $columns )
 	$columns = get_post_meta( $id, 'sp_columns', true );
 
-if ( ! is_array( $columns ) )
+if ( null !== $columns && ! is_array( $columns ) )
 	$columns = explode( ',', $columns );
 
 $output .= '<th class="data-rank">' . __( 'Pos', 'sportspress' ) . '</th>';
diff --git a/templates/player-list.php b/templates/player-list.php
index 45da03b1..c502ad1b 100644
--- a/templates/player-list.php
+++ b/templates/player-list.php
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ if ( isset( $performance ) )
 	$columns = $performance;
 
 // Explode into array
-if ( ! is_array( $columns ) )
+if ( null !== $columns && ! is_array( $columns ) )
 	$columns = explode( ',', $columns );
 
 $list = new SP_Player_List( $id );