diff --git a/lib/flex_array.c b/lib/flex_array.c
index 0c33b24498b..854b57bd7d9 100644
--- a/lib/flex_array.c
+++ b/lib/flex_array.c
@@ -253,9 +253,16 @@ int flex_array_prealloc(struct flex_array *fa, unsigned int start,
 	unsigned int end;
 	struct flex_array_part *part;
 
+	if (!start && !nr_elements)
+		return 0;
+	if (start >= fa->total_nr_elements)
+		return -ENOSPC;
+	if (!nr_elements)
+		return 0;
+
 	end = start + nr_elements - 1;
 
-	if (start >= fa->total_nr_elements || end >= fa->total_nr_elements)
+	if (end >= fa->total_nr_elements)
 		return -ENOSPC;
 	if (elements_fit_in_base(fa))
 		return 0;
@@ -346,6 +353,8 @@ int flex_array_shrink(struct flex_array *fa)
 	int part_nr;
 	int ret = 0;
 
+	if (!fa->total_nr_elements)
+		return 0;
 	if (elements_fit_in_base(fa))
 		return ret;
 	for (part_nr = 0; part_nr < FLEX_ARRAY_NR_BASE_PTRS; part_nr++) {