diff --git a/django/utils/text.py b/django/utils/text.py
index 37bcd3150e..8446b0a238 100644
--- a/django/utils/text.py
+++ b/django/utils/text.py
@@ -304,6 +304,8 @@ class StreamingBuffer(object):
         self.vals.append(val)
 
     def read(self):
+        if not self.vals:
+            return b''
         ret = b''.join(self.vals)
         self.vals = []
         return ret
@@ -323,8 +325,9 @@ def compress_sequence(sequence):
     yield buf.read()
     for item in sequence:
         zfile.write(item)
-        zfile.flush()
-        yield buf.read()
+        data = buf.read()
+        if data:
+            yield data
     zfile.close()
     yield buf.read()
 
diff --git a/tests/utils_tests/test_text.py b/tests/utils_tests/test_text.py
index 142963893e..084645da27 100644
--- a/tests/utils_tests/test_text.py
+++ b/tests/utils_tests/test_text.py
@@ -1,8 +1,9 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 from __future__ import unicode_literals
 
-from unittest import skipUnless
+import json
 import warnings
+from unittest import skipUnless
 
 from django.test import SimpleTestCase, ignore_warnings
 from django.test.utils import reset_warning_registry
@@ -198,6 +199,15 @@ class TestUtilsText(SimpleTestCase):
         filename = "^&'@{}[],$=!-#()%+~_123.txt"
         self.assertEqual(text.get_valid_filename(filename), "-_123.txt")
 
+    def test_compress_sequence(self):
+        data = [{'key': i} for i in range(10)]
+        seq = list(json.JSONEncoder().iterencode(data))
+        seq = [s.encode('utf-8') for s in seq]
+        actual_length = len(b''.join(seq))
+        out = text.compress_sequence(seq)
+        compressed_length = len(b''.join(out))
+        self.assertTrue(compressed_length < actual_length)
+
     @ignore_warnings(category=RemovedInDjango19Warning)
     def test_javascript_quote(self):
         input = "<script>alert('Hello \\xff.\n Welcome\there\r');</script>"