diff --git a/csv_metadata_quality/fix.py b/csv_metadata_quality/fix.py
index e28d93f..1bfb7d9 100755
--- a/csv_metadata_quality/fix.py
+++ b/csv_metadata_quality/fix.py
@@ -369,14 +369,15 @@ def countries_match_regions(row):
                     )
                     missing_regions.append(un_region)
 
-        # Add the missing regions back to the row, paying attention to whether
-        # or not the row's region column is None (aka null) or just an empty
-        # string (length would be 0).
-        if row[region_column_name] is not None and len(row[region_column_name]) > 0:
-            row[region_column_name] = (
-                row[region_column_name] + "||" + "||".join(missing_regions)
-            )
-        else:
-            row[region_column_name] = "||".join(missing_regions)
+        if len(missing_regions) > 0:
+            # Add the missing regions back to the row, paying attention to whether
+            # or not the row's region column is None (aka null) or just an empty
+            # string (length would be 0).
+            if row[region_column_name] is not None and len(row[region_column_name]) > 0:
+                row[region_column_name] = (
+                    row[region_column_name] + "||" + "||".join(missing_regions)
+                )
+            else:
+                row[region_column_name] = "||".join(missing_regions)
 
     return row