diff --git a/ChangeLog b/ChangeLog
index 3763eda..945d57f 100644
--- a/ChangeLog
+++ b/ChangeLog
@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ v0.5dev (ongoing development)
  * hd44780/serial: Add support for adjustable backlight
  * Build system: Fix build with automake >= 1.11.3 (#3494755)
  * Fix clang compiler warnings about obsolete GNU designated initializers
+ * Fix crash when adding a menu item without text and options (S. Dawson)
 
 v0.5.5
  + sed1330 driver: Add support for HG25504 (L. Lagendijk)
diff --git a/docs/lcdproc-dev/language.docbook b/docs/lcdproc-dev/language.docbook
index bb0f8cb..282b243 100644
--- a/docs/lcdproc-dev/language.docbook
+++ b/docs/lcdproc-dev/language.docbook
@@ -707,6 +707,7 @@
 	  menu_set_item "test" test_ip -next "test_menu" -prev "test_alpha"
 	  menu_set_item "test" test_menu_action -next "_close_"
 
+	  # replace the main menu with the client's menu as created above
 	  menu_set_main ""
 	</programlisting>
       </para>
@@ -757,7 +758,8 @@
 	      <option><replaceable>menu_id</replaceable></option>
 	      <option><replaceable>new_item_id</replaceable></option>
 	      <option><replaceable>type</replaceable></option>
-	      <optional><option><replaceable>options</replaceable></option></optional>
+	      <optional><option><replaceable>text</replaceable></option></optional>
+	      <optional><option><replaceable>item_specific_options</replaceable></option></optional>
 	    </command>
 	  </term>
 	  <listitem>
@@ -765,8 +767,10 @@
 	      Adds a new menu item to a menu. The main menu of a client,
 	      will be created automatically as soon as the client adds
 	      an item. This main menu has an empty id ("") and the name
-	      is identical to the name of the client. The options are
-	      described under menu_set_item below.
+	      is identical to the name of the client. The item specific options
+	      are described under menu_set_item below. Use of <replaceable>text</replaceable>
+	      is optional and is a shortcut for "-text <replaceable>text</replaceable>"
+	      option.
 	    </para>
 	    <para>
 	      <note>
@@ -777,6 +781,11 @@
 		  <replaceable>menu_ids</replaceable> are <emphasis>unique</emphasis>
 		  (at least within a clients menu hierarchy).
 		</para>
+		<para>
+		  If you want to use a text label that starts with a '-' (minus)
+		  character, you have to use the "-text <replaceable>text</replaceable>"
+		  option.
+		</para>
 	      </note>
 	      <variablelist><title>menu item types</title>
 		<varlistentry>
diff --git a/server/commands/menu_commands.c b/server/commands/menu_commands.c
index 3e8e4bc..38f557c 100644
--- a/server/commands/menu_commands.c
+++ b/server/commands/menu_commands.c
@@ -67,13 +67,14 @@ static char *argv2string(int argc, char **argv)
  * Adds an item to a menu.
  *
  *\verbatim
- * Usage: menu_add_item <menuid> <newitemid> <type> [<text>]
+ * Usage: menu_add_item <menuid> <newitemid> <type> [<text>] {<option>}+
  *\endverbatim
  *
  * You should use "" as id for the client's main menu. This menu will be
  * created automatically when you add an item to it the first time.
  *
- * You (currently?) cannot create a menu in the main level yourself.
+ * You cannot create a menu in the main level yourself, unless you replace the
+ * main menu with the client's menu.
  * The names you use for items should be unique for your client.
  * The text is the visible text for the item.
  *
@@ -86,6 +87,8 @@ static char *argv2string(int argc, char **argv)
  * - numeric
  * - alpha
  * - ip
+ *
+ * For the list of supported options see menu_set_item_func.
  */
 int
 menu_add_item_func(Client *c, int argc, char **argv)
@@ -108,7 +111,7 @@ menu_add_item_func(Client *c, int argc, char **argv)
 	}
 
 	if (argc < 4) {
-		sock_send_error(c->sock, "Usage: menu_add_item <menuid> <newitemid> <type> [<text>]\n");
+		sock_send_error(c->sock, "Usage: menu_add_item <menuid> <newitemid> <type> [<text>] [<option>]+\n");
 		return 0;
 	}
 
@@ -198,8 +201,8 @@ menu_add_item_func(Client *c, int argc, char **argv)
 
 	/* call menu_set_item() with a temporarily allocated argv
 	 * to process the remaining options */
-	if ((argc > 5) || (argv[4][0] == '-')) {
-		// menu_add_item <menuid> <newitemid> <type> [<text>]
+	if ((argc > 5) || ((argc == 5) && (argv[4][0] == '-'))) {
+		// menu_add_item <menuid> <newitemid> <type> [<text>] [<option>]+
 		// menu_set_item <menuid> <itemid> {<option>}+
 		int i, j;
 		char **tmp_argv = malloc(argc * sizeof(char *));