diff --git a/pandas/io/tests/json/test_pandas.py b/pandas/io/tests/json/test_pandas.py
index e6e6f33669e17..d7f903153fdae 100644
--- a/pandas/io/tests/json/test_pandas.py
+++ b/pandas/io/tests/json/test_pandas.py
@@ -388,6 +388,10 @@ def test_frame_empty(self):
         self.assertFalse(df._is_mixed_type)
         assert_frame_equal(read_json(df.to_json(), dtype=dict(df.dtypes)), df,
                            check_index_type=False)
+        # GH 7445
+        result = pd.DataFrame({'test': []}, index=[]).to_json(orient='columns')
+        expected = '{"test":{}}'
+        tm.assert_equal(result, expected)
 
     def test_frame_empty_mixedtype(self):
         # mixed type