diff --git a/manimlib/shader_wrapper.py b/manimlib/shader_wrapper.py
index a053d9ca..13fb3a28 100644
--- a/manimlib/shader_wrapper.py
+++ b/manimlib/shader_wrapper.py
@@ -131,7 +131,8 @@ class ShaderWrapper(object):
         self.refresh_id()
 
     def combine_with(self, *shader_wrappers: ShaderWrapper) -> ShaderWrapper:
-        self.read_in(self.copy(), *shader_wrappers)
+        if len(shader_wrappers) > 0:
+            self.read_in(self.copy(), *shader_wrappers)
         return self
 
     def read_in(self, *shader_wrappers: ShaderWrapper) -> ShaderWrapper: