diff --git a/Lib/sre_parse.py b/Lib/sre_parse.py
index 33b399e..319bf43 100644
--- a/Lib/sre_parse.py
+++ b/Lib/sre_parse.py
@@ -485,6 +485,9 @@
             elif this == "+":
                 min, max = 1, MAXREPEAT
             elif this == "{":
+                if source.next == "}":
+                    subpatternappend((LITERAL, ord(this)))
+                    continue
                 here = source.tell()
                 min, max = 0, MAXREPEAT
                 lo = hi = ""
diff --git a/Lib/test/test_re.py b/Lib/test/test_re.py
index eab995d..9755005 100644
--- a/Lib/test/test_re.py
+++ b/Lib/test/test_re.py
@@ -297,6 +297,9 @@
         self.assertNotEqual(re.match("^x{1,4}?$", "xxx"), None)
         self.assertNotEqual(re.match("^x{3,4}?$", "xxx"), None)
 
+        self.assertEqual(re.match("^x{}$", "xxx"), None)
+        self.assertNotEqual(re.match("^x{}$", "x{}"), None)
+
     def test_getattr(self):
         self.assertEqual(re.match("(a)", "a").pos, 0)
         self.assertEqual(re.match("(a)", "a").endpos, 1)