diff --git a/stac_fastapi/elasticsearch/stac_fastapi/elasticsearch/database_logic.py b/stac_fastapi/elasticsearch/stac_fastapi/elasticsearch/database_logic.py
index da6d6880..cd723cfb 100644
--- a/stac_fastapi/elasticsearch/stac_fastapi/elasticsearch/database_logic.py
+++ b/stac_fastapi/elasticsearch/stac_fastapi/elasticsearch/database_logic.py
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ def indices(collection_ids: Optional[List[str]]) -> str:
     Returns:
         A string of comma-separated index names. If `collection_ids` is None, returns the default indices.
     """
-    if collection_ids is None:
+    if collection_ids is None or collection_ids == []:
         return ITEM_INDICES
     else:
         return ",".join([index_by_collection_id(c) for c in collection_ids])