diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 9f0fad0d..f8c2fa13 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@ The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/).
 - UI
     - filters algorithm speed and sorting
 ### Fixes
+- AppImage
+    - allowing some apps to be filled with empty category elements
 - Web
     - handling unexpected connection errors
     - handling web page fetch errors
diff --git a/bauh/gems/appimage/controller.py b/bauh/gems/appimage/controller.py
index 12b8c522..a5891c04 100644
--- a/bauh/gems/appimage/controller.py
+++ b/bauh/gems/appimage/controller.py
@@ -169,8 +169,8 @@ class AppImageManager(SoftwareManager):
 
                 found_map = {}
                 idx = 0
-                for l in cursor.fetchall():
-                    app = AppImage(*l, i18n=self.i18n, custom_actions=self.custom_app_actions)
+                for r in cursor.fetchall():
+                    app = AppImage(*r, i18n=self.i18n, custom_actions=self.custom_app_actions)
                     res.new.append(app)
                     found_map[self._gen_app_key(app)] = {'app': app, 'idx': idx}
                     idx += 1
diff --git a/bauh/gems/appimage/model.py b/bauh/gems/appimage/model.py
index ee6b7b63..1a1dbf86 100644
--- a/bauh/gems/appimage/model.py
+++ b/bauh/gems/appimage/model.py
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ class AppImage(SoftwarePackage):
                                        installed=installed)
         self.source = source
         self.github = github
-        self.categories = categories.split(',') if isinstance(categories, str) else categories
+        self.categories = (categories.split(',') if isinstance(categories, str) else categories) if categories else None
         self.url_download = url_download
         self.icon_path = icon_path
         self.url_screenshot = url_screenshot