diff --git a/grain/_src/python/dataset/transformations/prefetch.py b/grain/_src/python/dataset/transformations/prefetch.py
index 1b3b8d09..7762e0a1 100644
--- a/grain/_src/python/dataset/transformations/prefetch.py
+++ b/grain/_src/python/dataset/transformations/prefetch.py
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 import contextlib
 import copy
 import functools
+import math
 import queue
 import sys
 import threading
@@ -275,6 +276,7 @@ def _copy_leaf_to_shm(leaf: Any) -> Any:
       not isinstance(leaf, np.ndarray)
       or leaf.dtype.hasobject
       or not leaf.flags.c_contiguous
+      or math.prod(leaf.shape) == 0
   ):
     return leaf
 
diff --git a/grain/_src/python/dataset/transformations/prefetch_test.py b/grain/_src/python/dataset/transformations/prefetch_test.py
index d5f1a555..92ab1ddb 100644
--- a/grain/_src/python/dataset/transformations/prefetch_test.py
+++ b/grain/_src/python/dataset/transformations/prefetch_test.py
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
 from grain._src.python.dataset.transformations import filter as filter_lazy_dataset
 from grain._src.python.dataset.transformations import map as map_lazy_dataset
 from grain._src.python.dataset.transformations import prefetch
+import numpy as np
 
 
 _T = TypeVar('_T')
@@ -263,6 +264,22 @@ def test_prefetch_data(self, num_workers: int, per_worker_buffer_size: int):
     expected = list(range(1, 20, 2))
     self.assertSequenceEqual(actual, expected)
 
+  def test_prefetch_size_zero_data(self):
+    ds = dataset.MapDataset.source(
+        [np.zeros(shape=(0,), dtype=np.int64)]
+    ).repeat(3)
+    iter_ds = ds.to_iter_dataset()
+    prefetch_lazy_iter_ds = prefetch.MultiprocessPrefetchIterDataset(
+        iter_ds,
+        options.MultiprocessingOptions(num_workers=1),
+    )
+    actual = list(prefetch_lazy_iter_ds)
+    expected = [np.zeros(shape=(0,), dtype=np.int64)] * 3
+    self.assertLen(actual, 3)
+    self.assertLen(expected, 3)
+    for i in range(3):
+      np.testing.assert_array_equal(actual[i], expected[i])
+
   @parameterized.named_parameters(
       dict(
           testcase_name='0_workers',
@@ -576,6 +593,22 @@ def test_prefetch_with_random_map(self):
     distinct_elements = set(elements)
     self.assertLen(distinct_elements, len(elements))
 
+  def test_concurrent_start_prefetch(self):
+    num_iters = 10  # Can't set this much higher without Forge OOMing.
+
+    def make_iter(i):
+      ds = dataset.MapDataset.source([i])
+      ds = ds.to_iter_dataset()
+      ds = ds.mp_prefetch(options=options.MultiprocessingOptions(num_workers=1))
+      return ds.__iter__()
+
+    iters = [make_iter(i) for i in range(num_iters)]
+    with futures.ThreadPoolExecutor(max_workers=num_iters) as executor:
+      for it in iters:
+        executor.submit(it.start_prefetch)
+    for it in iters:
+      _ = next(it)
+
 
 class ThreadPrefetchIterDatasetTest(parameterized.TestCase):
 
@@ -663,22 +696,6 @@ def test_fails_with_negative_prefetch_buffer_size(self):
     ):
       prefetch.ThreadPrefetchIterDataset(self.ds, prefetch_buffer_size=-1)
 
-  def test_concurrent_start_prefetch(self):
-    num_iters = 10  # Can't set this much higher without Forge OOMing.
-
-    def make_iter(i):
-      ds = dataset.MapDataset.source([i])
-      ds = ds.to_iter_dataset()
-      ds = ds.mp_prefetch(options=options.MultiprocessingOptions(num_workers=1))
-      return ds.__iter__()
-
-    iters = [make_iter(i) for i in range(num_iters)]
-    with futures.ThreadPoolExecutor(max_workers=num_iters) as executor:
-      for it in iters:
-        executor.submit(it.start_prefetch)
-    for it in iters:
-      _ = next(it)
-
 
 if __name__ == '__main__':
   absltest.main()