diff --git a/django/utils/regex_helper.py b/django/utils/regex_helper.py
index 3e3d349433..181285da4f 100644
--- a/django/utils/regex_helper.py
+++ b/django/utils/regex_helper.py
@@ -74,7 +74,11 @@ def normalize(pattern):
     # A "while" loop is used here because later on we need to be able to peek
     # at the next character and possibly go around without consuming another
     # one at the top of the loop.
-    ch, escaped = pattern_iter.next()
+    try:
+        ch, escaped = pattern_iter.next()
+    except StopIteration:
+        return zip([''],  [[]])
+
     try:
         while True:
             if escaped:
diff --git a/tests/regressiontests/urlpatterns_reverse/extra_urls.py b/tests/regressiontests/urlpatterns_reverse/extra_urls.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..ccf2365878
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/regressiontests/urlpatterns_reverse/extra_urls.py
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+"""
+Some extra URL patterns that are included at the top level.
+"""
+
+from django.conf.urls.defaults import *
+from views import empty_view
+
+urlpatterns = patterns('',
+    url(r'^e-places/(\d+)/$', empty_view, name='extra-places'),
+    url(r'^e-people/(?P<name>\w+)/$', empty_view, name="extra-people"),
+)
diff --git a/tests/regressiontests/urlpatterns_reverse/tests.py b/tests/regressiontests/urlpatterns_reverse/tests.py
index fbea3cb570..ff94196a92 100644
--- a/tests/regressiontests/urlpatterns_reverse/tests.py
+++ b/tests/regressiontests/urlpatterns_reverse/tests.py
@@ -61,6 +61,9 @@ test_data = (
     ('inner-extra', NoReverseMatch, ['fred', 'inner'], {}),
     ('disjunction', NoReverseMatch, ['foo'], {}),
     ('inner-disjunction', NoReverseMatch, ['10', '11'], {}),
+    ('extra-places', '/e-places/10/', ['10'], {}),
+    ('extra-people', '/e-people/fred/', ['fred'], {}),
+    ('extra-people', '/e-people/fred/', [], {'name': 'fred'}),
 )
 
 class URLPatternReverse(TestCase):
diff --git a/tests/regressiontests/urlpatterns_reverse/urls.py b/tests/regressiontests/urlpatterns_reverse/urls.py
index 21f2ddafb7..1adefbe0a3 100644
--- a/tests/regressiontests/urlpatterns_reverse/urls.py
+++ b/tests/regressiontests/urlpatterns_reverse/urls.py
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ urlpatterns = patterns('',
     url(r'^(?i)test/2/?$', empty_view, name="test2"),
     url(r'^outer/(?P<outer>\d+)/',
             include('regressiontests.urlpatterns_reverse.included_urls')),
+    url('', include('regressiontests.urlpatterns_reverse.extra_urls')),
 
     # This is non-reversible, but we shouldn't blow up when parsing it.
     url(r'^(?:foo|bar)(\w+)/$', empty_view, name="disjunction"),