diff --git a/ycmd/completers/cpp/clangd_completer.py b/ycmd/completers/cpp/clangd_completer.py
index 9fa3287392..d486aaf2cb 100644
--- a/ycmd/completers/cpp/clangd_completer.py
+++ b/ycmd/completers/cpp/clangd_completer.py
@@ -430,6 +430,9 @@ def ExtraDebugItems( self, request_data ):
 def CompilationDatabaseExists( file_dir ):
   for folder in PathsToAllParentFolders( file_dir ):
     if os.path.exists( os.path.join( folder, 'compile_commands.json' ) ):
-      return True
+      if os.path.getsize( os.path.join( folder, 'compile_commands.json' ) ) < 32:
+        return False
+      else:
+        return True
 
   return False