diff --git a/src/commit.rs b/src/commit.rs
index 69520fd..559a980 100644
--- a/src/commit.rs
+++ b/src/commit.rs
@@ -232,7 +232,14 @@ fn register_new_state(process: &mut Process, commit_msg: &CommitMessage) -> Resu
 
 // Process validation for a state with validation tokens
 fn process_validation(updated_process: &mut Process, commit_msg: &CommitMessage) -> Result<OutPoint> {
-    let new_state_id = commit_msg.pcd_commitment.create_merkle_tree()?.root().ok_or(Error::msg("Invalid merkle tree"))?;
+    let new_state_id = if commit_msg.pcd_commitment.is_empty() {
+        // We're dealing with an obliteration attempt
+        [0u8; 32]
+    }
+    else {
+        commit_msg.pcd_commitment.create_merkle_tree()?.root().ok_or(Error::msg("Invalid merkle tree"))?
+    };
+
     {
         let state_to_update = updated_process
             .get_state_for_id_mut(&new_state_id)?;