--- a/pvl/args.py	Mon Nov 04 19:45:55 2013 +0200
+++ b/pvl/args.py	Mon Dec 16 15:25:15 2013 +0200
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@
         Open unicode-enabled file from path, with - using stdio.
     """
 
-    if not path :
+    if not path or path == '-' :
         # use stdin/out based on mode
         stream, func = {
             'r':    (sys.stdin, codecs.getreader),