diff --git a/src/lookupStream.js b/src/lookupStream.js
index f76821c..acae430 100644
--- a/src/lookupStream.js
+++ b/src/lookupStream.js
@@ -113,9 +113,13 @@ function createLookupStream(resolver, config) {
       var countryCode = getCountryCode(result);
 
       // set code if available
-      if (!_.isUndefined(countryCode)) {
+      if (!_.isEmpty(countryCode)) {
         doc.setAlpha3(countryCode);
       }
+      else {
+        // TBD: remove this after debugging is done!!!
+        logger.error('no country code', result);
+      }
 
       setFields(result.country, doc, 'country', countryCode);
       setFields(result.macroregion, doc, 'macroregion');