diff --git a/library/init/data/string/basic.lean b/library/init/data/string/basic.lean
index 415470135b..379758e7b1 100644
--- a/library/init/data/string/basic.lean
+++ b/library/init/data/string/basic.lean
@@ -12,6 +12,9 @@ def string := list char
 namespace string
 @[pattern] def empty : string := list.nil
 
+instance : inhabited string :=
+⟨empty⟩
+
 @[pattern] def str : char → string → string := list.cons
 
 def concat (a b : string) : string :=