diff --git a/pywb/cdx/cdxobject.py b/pywb/cdx/cdxobject.py
index b64b0861..7a190be4 100644
--- a/pywb/cdx/cdxobject.py
+++ b/pywb/cdx/cdxobject.py
@@ -46,10 +46,16 @@ class CDXObject(OrderedDict):
          "orig.length", "orig.offset", "orig.filename"]
         ]
 
-    def __init__(self, cdxline):
+    def __init__(self, cdxline=''):
         OrderedDict.__init__(self)
 
         cdxline = cdxline.rstrip()
+
+        # Allows for filling the fields later or in a custom way
+        if not cdxline:
+            self.cdxline = cdxline
+            return
+
         fields = cdxline.split(' ')
 
         cdxformat = None
diff --git a/pywb/cdx/test/test_cdxobject.py b/pywb/cdx/test/test_cdxobject.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..13e242a7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pywb/cdx/test/test_cdxobject.py
@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+from pywb.cdx.cdxobject import CDXObject, IDXObject, CDXException
+from pytest import raises
+
+def test_empty_cdxobject():
+    x = CDXObject('')
+    assert len(x) == 0
+
+def test_invalid_cdx_format():
+    with raises(CDXException):
+        x = CDXObject('a b c')
+
+
+def _make_line(fields):
+    line = ' '.join(['-'] * fields)
+    x = CDXObject(line)
+    assert len(x) == fields
+    assert str(x) == line
+
+def test_valid_cdx_formats():
+    # Currently supported cdx formats, 9, 11, 12, 14 field
+    # See CDXObject for more details
+    _make_line(9)
+    _make_line(12)
+
+    _make_line(11)
+    _make_line(14)
+
+def test_invalid_idx_format():
+    with raises(CDXException):
+        x = IDXObject('a b c')
+
+