diff --git a/modules/videoio/src/cap_msmf.cpp b/modules/videoio/src/cap_msmf.cpp
index 24e26cfca4..90d4f6ef63 100644
--- a/modules/videoio/src/cap_msmf.cpp
+++ b/modules/videoio/src/cap_msmf.cpp
@@ -498,7 +498,7 @@ public:
                 best = *i;
                 break;
             }
-            if (i->second.isBetterThan(best.second, newType))
+            if (best.second.isEmpty() || i->second.isBetterThan(best.second, newType))
             {
                 best = *i;
             }