diff --git a/.changeset/witty-pugs-repeat.md b/.changeset/witty-pugs-repeat.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..6caf6ef3bfc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/witty-pugs-repeat.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+"@marko/runtime-tags": patch
+---
+
+Fix a placeholder that renders empty resuming as another node when it follows a node with text after it, or starts a section's content
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures-interop/interop-event-handler-render-body-tags-to-class/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures-interop/interop-event-handler-render-body-tags-to-class/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index e43a59fb662..d62423a8c1d 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures-interop/interop-event-handler-render-body-tags-to-class/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures-interop/interop-event-handler-render-body-tags-to-class/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 	}, "__tests__/template.marko_0/onClick", $scope0_id) }, _content_resume("__tests__/template.marko_1*content", () => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
 		_scope_reason();
-		_html(`${_escape(count)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(count) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
 		_subscribe($count__closures, writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) }, "__tests__/template.marko", "2:2"));
 		_resume_branch($scope1_id);
 	}, $scope0_id));
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures-interop/interop-event-handler-render-body-tags-to-class/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures-interop/interop-event-handler-render-body-tags-to-class/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index f0fedc65a00..b9148709c02 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures-interop/interop-event-handler-render-body-tags-to-class/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures-interop/interop-event-handler-render-body-tags-to-class/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 	}, "a0", $scope0_id) }, _content_resume("a1", () => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
 		_scope_reason();
-		_html(`${_escape(count)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(count) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
 		_subscribe($count__closures, writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) }));
 		_resume_branch($scope1_id);
 	}, $scope0_id));
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/async-multi-resolve-in-order-and-update/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/async-multi-resolve-in-order-and-update/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index b8b152c1b7e..078072326ab 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/async-multi-resolve-in-order-and-update/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/async-multi-resolve-in-order-and-update/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -7,31 +7,31 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 	_html(`<button>increment</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#button/0")}<p>1 * <!>${_escape(n)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/1")} = `);
 	_await($scope0_id, "#text/2", multiply(1, n), (result) => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(result)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(result) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
 		writeScope($scope1_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "6:16");
 	});
 	_html(`</p><p>2 * <!>${_escape(n)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/3")} = `);
 	_await($scope0_id, "#text/4", multiply(2, n), (result) => {
 		const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(result)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "#text/0")}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(result) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "#text/0")}`);
 		writeScope($scope2_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "7:16");
 	});
 	_html(`</p><p>3 * <!>${_escape(n)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/5")} = `);
 	_await($scope0_id, "#text/6", multiply(3, n), (result) => {
 		const $scope3_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(result)}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "#text/0")}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(result) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "#text/0")}`);
 		writeScope($scope3_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "8:16");
 	});
 	_html(`</p><p>4 * <!>${_escape(n)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/7")} = `);
 	_await($scope0_id, "#text/8", multiply(4, n), (result) => {
 		const $scope4_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(result)}${_el_resume($scope4_id, "#text/0")}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(result) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope4_id, "#text/0")}`);
 		writeScope($scope4_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "9:16");
 	});
 	_html(`</p><p>5 * <!>${_escape(n)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/9")} = `);
 	_await($scope0_id, "#text/10", multiply(5, n), (result) => {
 		const $scope5_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(result)}${_el_resume($scope5_id, "#text/0")}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(result) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope5_id, "#text/0")}`);
 		writeScope($scope5_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "10:16");
 	});
 	_html("</p>");
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/async-multi-resolve-in-order-and-update/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/async-multi-resolve-in-order-and-update/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index ae83a8bad8e..ff60062ee11 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/async-multi-resolve-in-order-and-update/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/async-multi-resolve-in-order-and-update/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -7,31 +7,31 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 	_html(`<button>increment</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "a")}<p>1 * <!>${_escape(n)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "b")} = `);
 	_await($scope0_id, "c", multiply(1, n), (result) => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(result)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(result) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
 		writeScope($scope1_id, {});
 	});
 	_html(`</p><p>2 * <!>${_escape(n)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "d")} = `);
 	_await($scope0_id, "e", multiply(2, n), (result) => {
 		const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(result)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "a")}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(result) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "a")}`);
 		writeScope($scope2_id, {});
 	});
 	_html(`</p><p>3 * <!>${_escape(n)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "f")} = `);
 	_await($scope0_id, "g", multiply(3, n), (result) => {
 		const $scope3_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(result)}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "a")}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(result) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "a")}`);
 		writeScope($scope3_id, {});
 	});
 	_html(`</p><p>4 * <!>${_escape(n)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "h")} = `);
 	_await($scope0_id, "i", multiply(4, n), (result) => {
 		const $scope4_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(result)}${_el_resume($scope4_id, "a")}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(result) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope4_id, "a")}`);
 		writeScope($scope4_id, {});
 	});
 	_html(`</p><p>5 * <!>${_escape(n)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "j")} = `);
 	_await($scope0_id, "k", multiply(5, n), (result) => {
 		const $scope5_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(result)}${_el_resume($scope5_id, "a")}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(result) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope5_id, "a")}`);
 		writeScope($scope5_id, {});
 	});
 	_html("</p>");
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/async-state/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/async-state/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 050bb348c88..222b7e4ff62 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/async-state/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/async-state/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 		_scope_reason();
 		_await($scope1_id, "#text/0", resolveAfter(clickCount), (value) => {
 			const $scope3_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(value)}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "#text/0")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(value) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "#text/0")}`);
 			writeScope($scope3_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "7:4");
 		});
 		_subscribe($clickCount__closures, writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) }, "__tests__/template.marko", "6:2"));
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/async-state/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/async-state/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index 49b381320e0..a80a2fd9dd0 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/async-state/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/async-state/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 		_scope_reason();
 		_await($scope1_id, "a", resolveAfter(clickCount), (value) => {
 			const $scope3_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(value)}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "a")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(value) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "a")}`);
 			writeScope($scope3_id, {});
 		});
 		_subscribe($clickCount__closures, writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) }));
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-dynamic-and-static/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-dynamic-and-static/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 950b5b226f2..d183772bd9b 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-dynamic-and-static/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-dynamic-and-static/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 		$item = attrTags($item, { content: _content("__tests__/template.marko_1*content", () => {
 			_scope_reason();
 			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(a)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}:<!>${_escape(v)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/1")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(a) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}:<!>${_escape(v)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/1")}`);
 			writeScope($scope1_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "3:8");
 		}, $scope0_id) });
 	});
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-dynamic-and-static/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-dynamic-and-static/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index 6f8b0a9041b..c1864626ebe 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-dynamic-and-static/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-dynamic-and-static/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 		$item = attrTags($item, { content: _content("a0", () => {
 			_scope_reason();
 			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(a)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}:<!>${_escape(v)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "b")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(a) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}:<!>${_escape(v)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "b")}`);
 			writeScope($scope1_id, {});
 		}, $scope0_id) });
 	});
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-dynamic/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-dynamic/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 3b5965b5e64..d0ec455120a 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-dynamic/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-dynamic/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 				content: _content_resume("__tests__/template.marko_3*content", () => {
 					_scope_reason();
 					const $scope3_id = _scope_id();
-					_html(`${_escape(row)}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "#text/0")}`);
+					_html(`${_escape(row) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "#text/0")}`);
 					writeScope($scope3_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "16:18");
 				}, $scope0_id)
 			});
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-dynamic/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-dynamic/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index 75e2055123d..b4260813ae6 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-dynamic/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-dynamic/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 				content: _content_resume("a2", () => {
 					_scope_reason();
 					const $scope3_id = _scope_id();
-					_html(`${_escape(row)}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "a")}`);
+					_html(`${_escape(row) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "a")}`);
 					writeScope($scope3_id, {});
 				}, $scope0_id)
 			});
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-for-loop-param-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-for-loop-param-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index bbfd209ee09..7ed29211bc4 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-for-loop-param-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-for-loop-param-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 		$item = attrTags($item, { content: _content("__tests__/template.marko_1*content", () => {
 			_scope_reason();
 			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(zzz)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(zzz) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
 			writeScope($scope1_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "3:5");
 		}, $scope0_id) });
 	});
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-for-loop-param-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-for-loop-param-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index e2396034735..d35719ce95d 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-for-loop-param-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-for-loop-param-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 		$item = attrTags($item, { content: _content("a0", () => {
 			_scope_reason();
 			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(zzz)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(zzz) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
 			writeScope($scope1_id, {});
 		}, $scope0_id) });
 	});
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-for-loop-param-event-handler-shadowed/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-for-loop-param-event-handler-shadowed/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 31781d74b1a..e0d9c049be9 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-for-loop-param-event-handler-shadowed/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-for-loop-param-event-handler-shadowed/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 			content: _content_resume("__tests__/template.marko_1*content", () => {
 				_scope_reason();
 				const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-				_html(`${_escape($foo)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
+				_html(`${_escape($foo) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
 				writeScope($scope1_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "4:6");
 			}, $scope0_id)
 		});
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-for-loop-param-event-handler-shadowed/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-for-loop-param-event-handler-shadowed/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index ab05c0d88c5..a7c9eaed66a 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-for-loop-param-event-handler-shadowed/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-for-loop-param-event-handler-shadowed/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 			content: _content_resume("a1", () => {
 				_scope_reason();
 				const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-				_html(`${_escape($foo)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
+				_html(`${_escape($foo) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
 				writeScope($scope1_id, {});
 			}, $scope0_id)
 		});
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-for-loop-param-intersection-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-for-loop-param-intersection-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 71213c8f032..62576955d82 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-for-loop-param-intersection-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-for-loop-param-intersection-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 		$item = attrTags($item, { content: _content("__tests__/template.marko_1*content", () => {
 			_scope_reason();
 			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(item * mult)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(item * mult) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
 			_subscribe($mult__closures, writeScope($scope1_id, {
 				item,
 				_: _scope_with_id($scope0_id)
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-for-loop-param-intersection-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-for-loop-param-intersection-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index f0b6719e93d..faf2dfac00e 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-for-loop-param-intersection-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-for-loop-param-intersection-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 		$item = attrTags($item, { content: _content("a0", () => {
 			_scope_reason();
 			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(item * mult)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(item * mult) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
 			_subscribe($mult__closures, writeScope($scope1_id, {
 				f: item,
 				_: _scope_with_id($scope0_id)
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-name-shadows-generated-uid/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-name-shadows-generated-uid/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index ef3963f82ea..3c0fed66835 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-name-shadows-generated-uid/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-name-shadows-generated-uid/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ var child_default = _template("__tests__/tags/child/index.marko", (input) => {
 	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
 	_for_of(input.scope, (s) => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(s.a)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0", $sg__input_scope)}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(s.a) || _sep($sg__input_scope)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0", $sg__input_scope)}`);
 		$si__input_scope && writeScope($scope1_id, {}, "__tests__/tags/child/index.marko", "1:2");
 	}, 0, $scope0_id, "#text/0", $sg__input_scope, $sg__input_scope, $sg__input_scope, 0, 1);
 	$si__input_scope && writeScope($scope0_id, {}, "__tests__/tags/child/index.marko", 0);
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-name-shadows-generated-uid/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-name-shadows-generated-uid/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index a8c56109e9c..dc13909c347 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-name-shadows-generated-uid/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/at-tags-name-shadows-generated-uid/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ var child_default = _template("b", (input) => {
 	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
 	_for_of(input.scope, (s) => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(s.a)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a", $sg__input_scope)}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(s.a) || _sep($sg__input_scope)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a", $sg__input_scope)}`);
 		$si__input_scope && writeScope($scope1_id, {});
 	}, 0, $scope0_id, "a", $sg__input_scope, $sg__input_scope, $sg__input_scope, 0, 1);
 	$si__input_scope && writeScope($scope0_id, {});
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/attr-tag-local-member-expression-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/attr-tag-local-member-expression-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 53b12d2cd19..29b5aaece02 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/attr-tag-local-member-expression-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/attr-tag-local-member-expression-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 			$item = attrTags($item, { content: _content("__tests__/template.marko_4*content", () => {
 				_scope_reason();
 				const $scope4_id = _scope_id();
-				_html(`${_escape(item.text)}${_el_resume($scope4_id, "#text/0")}`);
+				_html(`${_escape(item.text) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope4_id, "#text/0")}`);
 				writeScope($scope4_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "11:14");
 			}, $scope2_id) });
 		});
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/attr-tag-local-member-expression-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/attr-tag-local-member-expression-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index 75fa62c7da6..9c5f88b800b 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/attr-tag-local-member-expression-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/attr-tag-local-member-expression-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 			$item = attrTags($item, { content: _content("a1", () => {
 				_scope_reason();
 				const $scope4_id = _scope_id();
-				_html(`${_escape(item.text)}${_el_resume($scope4_id, "a")}`);
+				_html(`${_escape(item.text) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope4_id, "a")}`);
 				writeScope($scope4_id, {});
 			}, $scope2_id) });
 		});
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/await-cleanup/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/await-cleanup/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 6e466f68857..2ff3d89d5e6 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/await-cleanup/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/await-cleanup/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 				_await($scope2_id, "#text/0", resolveAfter(0, 1), () => {
 					const $scope3_id = _scope_id();
 					_script($scope3_id, "__tests__/template.marko_3_show#2/pending");
-					_html(`${_escape(show)}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "#text/0")}`);
+					_html(`${_escape(show) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "#text/0")}`);
 					_script($scope3_id, "__tests__/template.marko_3");
 					writeScope($scope3_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope2_id) }, "__tests__/template.marko", "9:5");
 					_resume_branch($scope3_id);
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/await-cleanup/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/await-cleanup/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index 6c2c58afbec..074e6522ca6 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/await-cleanup/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/await-cleanup/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 				_await($scope2_id, "a", resolveAfter(0, 1), () => {
 					const $scope3_id = _scope_id();
 					_script($scope3_id, "a0");
-					_html(`${_escape(show)}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "a")}`);
+					_html(`${_escape(show) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "a")}`);
 					_script($scope3_id, "a1");
 					writeScope($scope3_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope2_id) });
 					_resume_branch($scope3_id);
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/await-closure-function/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/await-closure-function/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index b6f4533dc37..5e0b11eee11 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/await-closure-function/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/await-closure-function/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 		_await($scope1_id, "#text/0", resolveAfter(0, 4), () => {
 			const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
 			_script($scope2_id, "__tests__/template.marko_2_value#1/pending");
-			_html(`${_escape(value)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "#text/0")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(value) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "#text/0")}`);
 			_script($scope2_id, "__tests__/template.marko_2_value#1");
 			writeScope($scope2_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope1_id) }, "__tests__/template.marko", "6:3");
 			_resume_branch($scope2_id);
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/await-closure-function/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/await-closure-function/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index 5bcf37250be..b18cfde64f7 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/await-closure-function/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/await-closure-function/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 		_await($scope1_id, "a", resolveAfter(0, 4), () => {
 			const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
 			_script($scope2_id, "a0");
-			_html(`${_escape(value)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "a")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(value) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "a")}`);
 			_script($scope2_id, "a1");
 			writeScope($scope2_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope1_id) });
 			_resume_branch($scope2_id);
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/await-in-for/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/await-in-for/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index a7707fb4078..00754eaec56 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/await-in-for/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/await-in-for/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 		_html("<li>");
 		_await($scope1_id, "#text/0", resolveAfter(item.label, 1), (v) => {
 			const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(v)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "#text/0", $sg__input_items)}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(v) || _sep($sg__input_items)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "#text/0", $sg__input_items)}`);
 			$si__input_items && writeScope($scope2_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "6:8");
 		}, $sg__input_items);
 		_html("</li>");
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/await-in-for/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/await-in-for/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index 3b83070fe38..f7d6543145f 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/await-in-for/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/await-in-for/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 		_html("<li>");
 		_await($scope1_id, "a", resolveAfter(item.label, 1), (v) => {
 			const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(v)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "a", $sg__input_items)}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(v) || _sep($sg__input_items)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "a", $sg__input_items)}`);
 			$si__input_items && writeScope($scope2_id, {});
 		}, $sg__input_items);
 		_html("</li>");
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/basic-component-renderBody/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/basic-component-renderBody/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index e621b6bdcb3..10e357c2b90 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/basic-component-renderBody/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/basic-component-renderBody/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 		content: _content("__tests__/template.marko_1*content", () => {
 			_scope_reason();
 			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(clickCount)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(clickCount) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
 			_subscribe($clickCount__closures, writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) }, "__tests__/template.marko", "2:2"));
 			_resume_branch($scope1_id);
 		}, $scope0_id)
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/basic-component-renderBody/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/basic-component-renderBody/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index 86163004745..545d57a1e50 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/basic-component-renderBody/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/basic-component-renderBody/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 		content: _content("a1", () => {
 			_scope_reason();
 			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(clickCount)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(clickCount) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
 			_subscribe($clickCount__closures, writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) }));
 			_resume_branch($scope1_id);
 		}, $scope0_id)
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/basic-execution-order/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/basic-execution-order/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 00fe1888879..788e49a5ef9 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/basic-execution-order/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/basic-execution-order/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 	_if(() => {
 		if (show) {
 			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(message.text)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(message.text) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
 			writeScope($scope1_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "8:2");
 			return 0;
 		}
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/basic-execution-order/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/basic-execution-order/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index dc1ea1f96f0..86b949d6773 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/basic-execution-order/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/basic-execution-order/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 	_if(() => {
 		{
 			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(message.text)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(message.text) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
 			writeScope($scope1_id, {});
 			return 0;
 		}
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/basic-push-pop-list/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/basic-push-pop-list/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 9acf2834fc5..9d3bb7fde60 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/basic-push-pop-list/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/basic-push-pop-list/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 	_html("<div>");
 	_for_of(items, (item) => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(item)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(item) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
 		writeScope($scope1_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "5:4");
 	}, 0, $scope0_id, "#text/0", 1, 1, 1, 0, 1);
 	_html(`<button id=add>Add</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#button/1")}<button id=remove>Remove</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#button/2")}</div>`);
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/basic-push-pop-list/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/basic-push-pop-list/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index 147747c6938..d899a0c43fa 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/basic-push-pop-list/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/basic-push-pop-list/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 	_html("<div>");
 	_for_of(items, (item) => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(item)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(item) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
 		writeScope($scope1_id, {});
 	}, 0, $scope0_id, "a", 1, 1, 1, 0, 1);
 	_html(`<button id=add>Add</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "b")}<button id=remove>Remove</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "c")}</div>`);
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/bind-to-input/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/bind-to-input/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 1f5e87cedf1..4308a6487e8 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/bind-to-input/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/bind-to-input/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 		content: _content("__tests__/template.marko_1*content", () => {
 			_scope_reason();
 			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(x)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(x) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
 			_subscribe($x__closures, writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) }, "__tests__/template.marko", "3:2"));
 			_resume_branch($scope1_id);
 		}, $scope0_id)
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 		content: _content("__tests__/template.marko_2*content", () => {
 			_scope_reason();
 			const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(x)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "#text/0")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(x) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "#text/0")}`);
 			_subscribe($x__closures, writeScope($scope2_id, {
 				_: _scope_with_id($scope0_id),
 				"ClosureSignalIndex:x": 1
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/bind-to-input/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/bind-to-input/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index 17939d90640..7fa7588829a 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/bind-to-input/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/bind-to-input/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 		content: _content("a1", () => {
 			_scope_reason();
 			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(x)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(x) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
 			_subscribe($x__closures, writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) }));
 			_resume_branch($scope1_id);
 		}, $scope0_id)
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 		content: _content("a2", () => {
 			_scope_reason();
 			const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(x)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "a")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(x) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "a")}`);
 			_subscribe($x__closures, writeScope($scope2_id, {
 				_: _scope_with_id($scope0_id),
 				Cd: 1
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/body-content/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/body-content/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index d0c8e0a5721..4e2fefb2af1 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/body-content/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/body-content/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 		content: _content("__tests__/template.marko_1*content", () => {
 			_scope_reason();
 			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(clickCount)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(clickCount) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
 			_subscribe($clickCount__closures, writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) }, "__tests__/template.marko", "2:2"));
 			_resume_branch($scope1_id);
 		}, $scope0_id)
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/body-content/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/body-content/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index 49f3d4a57d8..8b45aba6790 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/body-content/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/body-content/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 		content: _content("a1", () => {
 			_scope_reason();
 			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(clickCount)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(clickCount) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
 			_subscribe($clickCount__closures, writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) }));
 			_resume_branch($scope1_id);
 		}, $scope0_id)
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/catch-single-reject-async/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/catch-single-reject-async/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 54f9ccd811a..c48b34e3dfd 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/catch-single-reject-async/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/catch-single-reject-async/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -13,9 +13,9 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 		}, 0);
 		_html("c");
 	}, $scope0_id), { catch: attrTag({ content: _content_resume("__tests__/template.marko_2*content", (error) => {
-		const $scope2_reason = _scope_reason();
+		const $scope2_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__error_message = _serialize_guard($scope2_reason, 0);
 		const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(error.message)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "#text/0", _serialize_guard($scope2_reason, 0))}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(error.message) || _sep($sg__error_message)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "#text/0", $sg__error_message)}`);
 		_serialize_if($scope2_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope2_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "8:4");
 	}, $scope0_id) }) });
 	_html("d");
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/catch-single-reject-async/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/catch-single-reject-async/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index 13c3e9f64e3..97af663ac5b 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/catch-single-reject-async/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/catch-single-reject-async/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -13,9 +13,9 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 		}, 0);
 		_html("c");
 	}, $scope0_id), { catch: attrTag({ content: _content_resume("a0", (error) => {
-		const $scope2_reason = _scope_reason();
+		const $scope2_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__error_message = _serialize_guard($scope2_reason, 0);
 		const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(error.message)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "a", _serialize_guard($scope2_reason, 0))}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(error.message) || _sep($sg__error_message)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "a", $sg__error_message)}`);
 		_serialize_if($scope2_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope2_id, {});
 	}, $scope0_id) }) });
 	_html("d");
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/catch-single-throw-sync/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/catch-single-throw-sync/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index ca84fa2a933..bd7bfc83c7a 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/catch-single-throw-sync/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/catch-single-throw-sync/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -10,9 +10,9 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 			throw new Error("ERROR!");
 		})())}`);
 	}, $scope0_id), { catch: attrTag({ content: _content_resume("__tests__/template.marko_2*content", (error) => {
-		const $scope2_reason = _scope_reason();
+		const $scope2_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__error_message = _serialize_guard($scope2_reason, 0);
 		const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(error.message)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "#text/0", _serialize_guard($scope2_reason, 0))}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(error.message) || _sep($sg__error_message)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "#text/0", $sg__error_message)}`);
 		_serialize_if($scope2_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope2_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "4:4");
 	}, $scope0_id) }) });
 	_html("d");
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/catch-single-throw-sync/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/catch-single-throw-sync/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index d1faea56b1e..cf328705331 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/catch-single-throw-sync/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/catch-single-throw-sync/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -10,9 +10,9 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 			throw new Error("ERROR!");
 		})())}`);
 	}, $scope0_id), { catch: attrTag({ content: _content_resume("a0", (error) => {
-		const $scope2_reason = _scope_reason();
+		const $scope2_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__error_message = _serialize_guard($scope2_reason, 0);
 		const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(error.message)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "a", _serialize_guard($scope2_reason, 0))}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(error.message) || _sep($sg__error_message)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "a", $sg__error_message)}`);
 		_serialize_if($scope2_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope2_id, {});
 	}, $scope0_id) }) });
 	_html("d");
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/conditional-dynamic-tag-in-loop-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/conditional-dynamic-tag-in-loop-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index a3ce9acd2c2..f5df77c8ca7 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/conditional-dynamic-tag-in-loop-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/conditional-dynamic-tag-in-loop-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 		content: _content_resume("__tests__/template.marko_1*content", () => {
 			_scope_reason();
 			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(count)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(count) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
 			_subscribe($count__closures, writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) }, "__tests__/template.marko", "3:4"));
 			_resume_branch($scope1_id);
 		}, $scope0_id)
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/conditional-dynamic-tag-in-loop-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/conditional-dynamic-tag-in-loop-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index 3e634ac54f6..2d1c6f2d722 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/conditional-dynamic-tag-in-loop-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/conditional-dynamic-tag-in-loop-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 		content: _content_resume("a1", () => {
 			_scope_reason();
 			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(count)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(count) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
 			_subscribe($count__closures, writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) }));
 			_resume_branch($scope1_id);
 		}, $scope0_id)
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/__snapshots__/dom.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/__snapshots__/dom.bundle.debug.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..b0e090abec0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/__snapshots__/dom.bundle.debug.js
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+// template.marko
+const $template = "<input><!>";
+const $walks = " b%b";
+const $value = /*@__PURE__*/ _let("value/2", ($scope) => {
+	_attr_input_value($scope, "#input/0", $scope.value, $valueChange($scope));
+	_text($scope["#text/1"], $scope.value);
+});
+const $setup__script = _script("__tests__/template.marko_0", ($scope) => _attr_input_value_script($scope, "#input/0"));
+function $setup($scope) {
+	$value($scope, undefined);
+	$setup__script($scope);
+}
+const $valueChange = ($scope) => (_new_value) => {
+	$value($scope, _new_value);
+};
+_resume("__tests__/template.marko_0/valueChange", $valueChange);
+var template_default = /*@__PURE__*/ _template("__tests__/template.marko", $template, $walks, $setup);
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/__snapshots__/dom.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/__snapshots__/dom.bundle.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..caf56855143
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/__snapshots__/dom.bundle.js
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+// template.marko
+const $value = /*@__PURE__*/ _let(2, ($scope) => {
+	_attr_input_value($scope, "a", $scope.c, $valueChange($scope));
+	_text($scope.b, $scope.c);
+});
+const $setup__script = _script("a1", ($scope) => _attr_input_value_script($scope, "a"));
+const $valueChange = ($scope) => (_new_value) => {
+	$value($scope, _new_value);
+};
+_resume("a0", $valueChange);
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..6cfb6c4fe6c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+// template.marko
+var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
+	_scope_reason();
+	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
+	let value = undefined;
+	_html(`<input${_attr_input_value($scope0_id, "#input/0", value, _resume((_new_value) => {
+		value = _new_value;
+	}, "__tests__/template.marko_0/valueChange", $scope0_id))}>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#input/0")}${_escape(value) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/1")}`);
+	_script($scope0_id, "__tests__/template.marko_0");
+	writeScope($scope0_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", 0, { "ControlledHandler:#input/0": ["valueChange"] });
+	_resume_branch($scope0_id);
+}, 1);
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..617e8d8057a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+// template.marko
+var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
+	_scope_reason();
+	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
+	let value = void 0;
+	_html(`<input${_attr_input_value($scope0_id, "a", value, _resume((_new_value) => {
+		value = _new_value;
+	}, "a0", $scope0_id))}>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "a")}${_escape(value) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "b")}`);
+	_script($scope0_id, "a1");
+	writeScope($scope0_id, {});
+	_resume_branch($scope0_id);
+}, 1);
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/__snapshots__/render.debug.md b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/__snapshots__/render.debug.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..68cbd88190b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/__snapshots__/render.debug.md
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+# Render
+```html
+<input />
+```
+
+# Update
+```js
+const input = document.querySelector("input");
+const window = input.ownerDocument.defaultView;
+input.value = value;
+input.dispatchEvent(new window.Event("input", { bubbles: true }));
+```
+```html
+<input
+  value="w"
+/>
+w
+```
+## Change
+```
+UPDATE: ::text "" => "w"
+```
+
+# Update
+```js
+const input = document.querySelector("input");
+const window = input.ownerDocument.defaultView;
+input.value = value;
+input.dispatchEvent(new window.Event("input", { bubbles: true }));
+```
+```html
+<input
+  value="wor"
+/>
+wor
+```
+## Change
+```
+UPDATE: ::text "w" => "wor"
+```
+
+# Update
+```js
+const input = document.querySelector("input");
+const window = input.ownerDocument.defaultView;
+input.value = value;
+input.dispatchEvent(new window.Event("input", { bubbles: true }));
+```
+```html
+<input
+  value="world"
+/>
+world
+```
+## Change
+```
+UPDATE: ::text "wor" => "world"
+```
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/__snapshots__/render.md b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/__snapshots__/render.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..68cbd88190b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/__snapshots__/render.md
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+# Render
+```html
+<input />
+```
+
+# Update
+```js
+const input = document.querySelector("input");
+const window = input.ownerDocument.defaultView;
+input.value = value;
+input.dispatchEvent(new window.Event("input", { bubbles: true }));
+```
+```html
+<input
+  value="w"
+/>
+w
+```
+## Change
+```
+UPDATE: ::text "" => "w"
+```
+
+# Update
+```js
+const input = document.querySelector("input");
+const window = input.ownerDocument.defaultView;
+input.value = value;
+input.dispatchEvent(new window.Event("input", { bubbles: true }));
+```
+```html
+<input
+  value="wor"
+/>
+wor
+```
+## Change
+```
+UPDATE: ::text "w" => "wor"
+```
+
+# Update
+```js
+const input = document.querySelector("input");
+const window = input.ownerDocument.defaultView;
+input.value = value;
+input.dispatchEvent(new window.Event("input", { bubbles: true }));
+```
+```html
+<input
+  value="world"
+/>
+world
+```
+## Change
+```
+UPDATE: ::text "wor" => "world"
+```
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/__snapshots__/writes.debug.html b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/__snapshots__/writes.debug.html
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..cfdc4835c3a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/__snapshots__/writes.debug.html
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+<input><!--M_*1 #input/0-->
+<!><!--M_*1 #text/1-->
+  <script>
+    WALKER_RUNTIME("M")("_");
+    M._.r = [_ => [1, {
+        "ControlledHandler:#input/0": _(1,
+          "packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/template.marko_0/valueChange"
+          )
+      }],
+      "packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/template.marko_0 1"
+    ];
+    M._.w()
+  </script>
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/__snapshots__/writes.html b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/__snapshots__/writes.html
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..92ebe604334
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/__snapshots__/writes.html
@@ -0,0 +1,9 @@
+<input><!--M_*1 a-->
+<!><!--M_*1 b-->
+  <script>
+    WALKER_RUNTIME("M")("_");
+    M._.r = [_ => [1, {
+      Ea: _(1, "a0")
+    }], "a1 1"];
+    M._.w()
+  </script>
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/sizes.json b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/sizes.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..bee99947e0f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/sizes.json
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+{
+  "dom": {
+    "template.marko.page.mjs": {
+      "min": 3623,
+      "brotli": 1748
+    }
+  },
+  "html": {
+    "min": 353,
+    "brotli": 252
+  }
+}
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/template.marko b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/template.marko
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..6c8fbfa89d0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/template.marko
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+let/value
+input value:=value
+-- ${value}
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/test.ts b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..05788032592
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/controllable-input-value-empty/test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+import type { TestConfig } from "../../main.test";
+
+function type(value: string) {
+  return (document: Document) => {
+    const input = document.querySelector("input")!;
+    const window = input.ownerDocument.defaultView!;
+    input.value = value;
+    input.dispatchEvent(new window.Event("input", { bubbles: true }));
+  };
+}
+
+export const config: TestConfig = {
+  steps: [{}, type("w"), type("wor"), type("world")],
+};
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/define-tag-recursive-known/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/define-tag-recursive-known/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 90d5e0cfe37..45e7482bed7 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/define-tag-recursive-known/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/define-tag-recursive-known/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
 	const Foo = { content: _content("__tests__/template.marko_1*content", (input) => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-		const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__input_bar = _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 1), $si__input_bar = _serialize_if($scope1_reason, 1);
+		const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__input_bar = _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 1), $sg__input_message = _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 2), $si__input_bar = _serialize_if($scope1_reason, 1);
 		_if(() => {
 			if (input.bar) {
 				const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 				return 0;
 			} else {
 				const $scope3_id = _scope_id();
-				_html(`${_escape(JSON.stringify(input.message))}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "#text/0", _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 2))}`);
+				_html(`${_escape(JSON.stringify(input.message)) || _sep($sg__input_message)}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "#text/0", $sg__input_message)}`);
 				_serialize_if($scope1_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope3_id, { _: _serialize_if($scope1_reason, 2) && _scope_with_id($scope1_id) }, "__tests__/template.marko", "4:3");
 				return 1;
 			}
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/define-tag-recursive-known/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/define-tag-recursive-known/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index 25bee09190d..823ea09d3e4 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/define-tag-recursive-known/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/define-tag-recursive-known/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 	_scope_reason();
 	const Foo = { content: _content("a0", (input) => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-		const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__input_bar = _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 1), $si__input_bar = _serialize_if($scope1_reason, 1);
+		const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__input_bar = _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 1), $sg__input_message = _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 2), $si__input_bar = _serialize_if($scope1_reason, 1);
 		_if(() => {
 			if (input.bar) {
 				const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 				return 0;
 			} else {
 				const $scope3_id = _scope_id();
-				_html(`${_escape(JSON.stringify(input.message))}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "a", _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 2))}`);
+				_html(`${_escape(JSON.stringify(input.message)) || _sep($sg__input_message)}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "a", $sg__input_message)}`);
 				_serialize_if($scope1_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope3_id, { _: _serialize_if($scope1_reason, 2) && _scope_with_id($scope1_id) });
 				return 1;
 			}
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/define-tag-recursive-unknown/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/define-tag-recursive-unknown/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 14cedb290f8..0837d9c94ee 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/define-tag-recursive-unknown/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/define-tag-recursive-unknown/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
 	const Foo = { content: _content_resume("__tests__/template.marko_1*content", (input) => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-		const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__input_bar = _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 1), $si__input_bar = _serialize_if($scope1_reason, 1);
+		const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__input_message = _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 2), $sg__input_bar = _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 1), $si__input_bar = _serialize_if($scope1_reason, 1);
 		_if(() => {
 			if (input.bar) {
 				const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 				return 0;
 			} else {
 				const $scope3_id = _scope_id();
-				_html(`${_escape(JSON.stringify(input.message))}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "#text/0", _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 2))}`);
+				_html(`${_escape(JSON.stringify(input.message)) || _sep($sg__input_message)}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "#text/0", $sg__input_message)}`);
 				_serialize_if($scope1_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope3_id, { _: _serialize_if($scope1_reason, 2) && _scope_with_id($scope1_id) }, "__tests__/template.marko", "4:3");
 				return 1;
 			}
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/define-tag-recursive-unknown/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/define-tag-recursive-unknown/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index 6ef882d9448..e4acbeeb803 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/define-tag-recursive-unknown/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/define-tag-recursive-unknown/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
 	const Foo = { content: _content_resume("a0", (input) => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-		const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__input_bar = _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 1), $si__input_bar = _serialize_if($scope1_reason, 1);
+		const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__input_message = _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 2), $sg__input_bar = _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 1), $si__input_bar = _serialize_if($scope1_reason, 1);
 		_if(() => {
 			if (input.bar) {
 				const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 				return 0;
 			} else {
 				const $scope3_id = _scope_id();
-				_html(`${_escape(JSON.stringify(input.message))}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "a", _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 2))}`);
+				_html(`${_escape(JSON.stringify(input.message)) || _sep($sg__input_message)}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "a", $sg__input_message)}`);
 				_serialize_if($scope1_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope3_id, { _: _serialize_if($scope1_reason, 2) && _scope_with_id($scope1_id) });
 				return 1;
 			}
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/destructure-input-with-assignment/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/destructure-input-with-assignment/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index b0fe2c7b80f..ca762d1a4e7 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/destructure-input-with-assignment/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/destructure-input-with-assignment/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 		content: _content_resume("__tests__/template.marko_1*content", () => {
 			_scope_reason();
 			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(value)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(value) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
 			_subscribe($value__closures, writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) }, "__tests__/template.marko", "3:1"));
 			_resume_branch($scope1_id);
 		}, $scope0_id)
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/destructure-input-with-assignment/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/destructure-input-with-assignment/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index 9acdf5ef0c9..b4b1d700e95 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/destructure-input-with-assignment/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/destructure-input-with-assignment/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 		content: _content_resume("a1", () => {
 			_scope_reason();
 			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(value)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(value) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
 			_subscribe($value__closures, writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) }));
 			_resume_branch($scope1_id);
 		}, $scope0_id)
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/dynamic-content-attr/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/dynamic-content-attr/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 01e20bb221d..e041aa43b81 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/dynamic-content-attr/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/dynamic-content-attr/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 	const MyThing = { content: _content_resume("__tests__/template.marko_1*content", () => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
 		_scope_reason();
-		_html(`${_escape(count)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")} ${_escape(sideEffect++)}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(count) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")} ${_escape(sideEffect++)}`);
 		_subscribe($count__closures, writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) }, "__tests__/template.marko", "5:1"));
 		_resume_branch($scope1_id);
 	}, $scope0_id) };
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/dynamic-content-attr/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/dynamic-content-attr/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index 5cefb3d0ac8..687a6cf89e3 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/dynamic-content-attr/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/dynamic-content-attr/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 	const MyThing = { content: _content_resume("a0", () => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
 		_scope_reason();
-		_html(`${_escape(count)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")} ${_escape(sideEffect++)}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(count) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")} ${_escape(sideEffect++)}`);
 		_subscribe($count__closures, writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) }));
 		_resume_branch($scope1_id);
 	}, $scope0_id) };
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/error-for-by-static/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/error-for-by-static/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 2a21f3ac518..00b0edc9398 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/error-for-by-static/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/error-for-by-static/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
 	_for_of(input.items, (item) => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(item.id)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0", $sg__input_items)}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(item.id) || _sep($sg__input_items)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0", $sg__input_items)}`);
 		$si__input_items && writeScope($scope1_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "1:2");
 	}, (item) => item, $scope0_id, "#text/0", $sg__input_items, $sg__input_items, $sg__input_items, 0, 1);
 	$si__input_items && writeScope($scope0_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", 0);
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/for-by/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/for-by/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index ca7c170790e..6810022d5b3 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/for-by/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/for-by/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -28,31 +28,31 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 	_html("<div><div class=by-string>");
 	_for_of(items, ({ text }) => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(text)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(text) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
 		writeScope($scope1_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "17:6");
 	}, "id", $scope0_id, "#div/0", 1, 1, 1, "</div>", 1);
 	_html("<div class=by-function>");
 	_for_of(items, ({ text }) => {
 		const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(text)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "#text/0")}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(text) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "#text/0")}`);
 		writeScope($scope2_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "21:6");
 	}, (item) => item.id, $scope0_id, "#div/1", 1, 1, 1, "</div>", 1);
 	_html("<div class=by-unknown-string>");
 	_for_of(items, ({ text }) => {
 		const $scope3_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(text)}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "#text/0")}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(text) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "#text/0")}`);
 		writeScope($scope3_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "25:6");
 	}, getStringBy(), $scope0_id, "#div/2", 1, 1, 1, "</div>", 1);
 	_html("<div class=by-unknown-function>");
 	_for_of(items, ({ text }) => {
 		const $scope4_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(text)}${_el_resume($scope4_id, "#text/0")}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(text) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope4_id, "#text/0")}`);
 		writeScope($scope4_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "29:6");
 	}, getFunctionBy(), $scope0_id, "#div/3", 1, 1, 1, "</div>", 1);
 	_html("<div class=by-unknown-missing>");
 	_for_of(items, ({ text }) => {
 		const $scope5_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(text)}${_el_resume($scope5_id, "#text/0")}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(text) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope5_id, "#text/0")}`);
 		writeScope($scope5_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "33:6");
 	}, getMissingBy(), $scope0_id, "#div/4", 1, 1, 1, "</div>", 1);
 	_html(`<button>Rotate</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#button/5")}</div>`);
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/for-by/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/for-by/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index 92ff7a85b46..81536b296dc 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/for-by/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/for-by/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -25,31 +25,31 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 	_html("<div><div class=by-string>");
 	_for_of(items, ({ text }) => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(text)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(text) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
 		writeScope($scope1_id, {});
 	}, "id", $scope0_id, "a", 1, 1, 1, "</div>", 1);
 	_html("<div class=by-function>");
 	_for_of(items, ({ text }) => {
 		const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(text)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "a")}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(text) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "a")}`);
 		writeScope($scope2_id, {});
 	}, (item) => item.id, $scope0_id, "b", 1, 1, 1, "</div>", 1);
 	_html("<div class=by-unknown-string>");
 	_for_of(items, ({ text }) => {
 		const $scope3_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(text)}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "a")}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(text) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "a")}`);
 		writeScope($scope3_id, {});
 	}, getStringBy(), $scope0_id, "c", 1, 1, 1, "</div>", 1);
 	_html("<div class=by-unknown-function>");
 	_for_of(items, ({ text }) => {
 		const $scope4_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(text)}${_el_resume($scope4_id, "a")}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(text) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope4_id, "a")}`);
 		writeScope($scope4_id, {});
 	}, getFunctionBy(), $scope0_id, "d", 1, 1, 1, "</div>", 1);
 	_html("<div class=by-unknown-missing>");
 	_for_of(items, ({ text }) => {
 		const $scope5_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(text)}${_el_resume($scope5_id, "a")}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(text) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope5_id, "a")}`);
 		writeScope($scope5_id, {});
 	}, void 0, $scope0_id, "e", 1, 1, 1, "</div>", 1);
 	_html(`<button>Rotate</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "f")}</div>`);
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/html-comment-var/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/html-comment-var/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 81774a25ab9..02880666024 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/html-comment-var/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/html-comment-var/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -19,11 +19,11 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 	const $childScope = _peek_scope_id();
 	let divName = parent_el_default({});
 	_var($scope0_id, "#scopeOffset/1", $childScope, "__tests__/template.marko_0_divName#6/var");
-	_html(`<!>${_escape(divName)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/2")}</div><span>`);
+	_html(`${_escape(divName) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/2")}</div><span>`);
 	const $childScope2 = _peek_scope_id();
 	let spanName = parent_el_default({});
 	_var($scope0_id, "#scopeOffset/4", $childScope2, "__tests__/template.marko_0_spanName#7/var");
-	_html(`<!>${_escape(spanName)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/5")}</span>`);
+	_html(`${_escape(spanName) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/5")}</span>`);
 	writeScope($scope0_id, {
 		"#childScope/0": _existing_scope($childScope),
 		"#childScope/3": _existing_scope($childScope2)
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/html-comment-var/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/html-comment-var/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index d11e0165719..fd434f22c36 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/html-comment-var/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/html-comment-var/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -16,11 +16,11 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 	const $childScope = _peek_scope_id();
 	let divName = parent_el_default({});
 	_var($scope0_id, "b", $childScope, "a0");
-	_html(`<!>${_escape(divName)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "c")}</div><span>`);
+	_html(`${_escape(divName) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "c")}</div><span>`);
 	const $childScope2 = _peek_scope_id();
 	let spanName = parent_el_default({});
 	_var($scope0_id, "e", $childScope2, "a1");
-	_html(`<!>${_escape(spanName)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "f")}</span>`);
+	_html(`${_escape(spanName) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "f")}</span>`);
 	writeScope($scope0_id, {
 		a: _existing_scope($childScope),
 		d: _existing_scope($childScope2)
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/inert-if-closure-update-active/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/inert-if-closure-update-active/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 41d480f673d..a57434e6c62 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/inert-if-closure-update-active/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/inert-if-closure-update-active/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 	_if(() => {
 		if (input.show) {
 			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(value)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(value) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
 			writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) }, "__tests__/template.marko", "2:2");
 			return 0;
 		}
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/inert-if-closure-update-active/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/inert-if-closure-update-active/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index fbb84a9c1f7..3bb9fe0b89e 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/inert-if-closure-update-active/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/inert-if-closure-update-active/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 	_if(() => {
 		if (input.show) {
 			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(value)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(value) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
 			writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) });
 			return 0;
 		}
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/inert-if-closure-update-inactive/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/inert-if-closure-update-inactive/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 41d480f673d..a57434e6c62 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/inert-if-closure-update-inactive/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/inert-if-closure-update-inactive/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 	_if(() => {
 		if (input.show) {
 			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(value)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(value) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
 			writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) }, "__tests__/template.marko", "2:2");
 			return 0;
 		}
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/inert-if-closure-update-inactive/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/inert-if-closure-update-inactive/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index fbb84a9c1f7..3bb9fe0b89e 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/inert-if-closure-update-inactive/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/inert-if-closure-update-inactive/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 	_if(() => {
 		if (input.show) {
 			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(value)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(value) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
 			writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) });
 			return 0;
 		}
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/inert-params-no-serialize/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/inert-params-no-serialize/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 853c44b5ef9..967d62b0d9f 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/inert-params-no-serialize/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/inert-params-no-serialize/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -19,9 +19,9 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 	child_default({
 		value: "Hi",
 		content: _content("__tests__/template.marko_1*content", (x) => {
-			const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason();
+			const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__x = _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 0);
 			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(x)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0", _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 0))}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(x) || _sep($sg__x)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0", $sg__x)}`);
 			_serialize_if($scope1_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope1_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "1:2");
 		}, $scope0_id)
 	});
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/inert-params-no-serialize/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/inert-params-no-serialize/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index 55d6d781df6..830fc658fd6 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/inert-params-no-serialize/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/inert-params-no-serialize/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -15,9 +15,9 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 	child_default({
 		value: "Hi",
 		content: _content("a0", (x) => {
-			const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason();
+			const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__x = _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 0);
 			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(x)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a", _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 0))}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(x) || _sep($sg__x)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a", $sg__x)}`);
 			_serialize_if($scope1_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope1_id, {});
 		}, _scope_id())
 	});
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/input-property-alias-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/input-property-alias-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index cf2cb9d2912..430a90a9567 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/input-property-alias-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/input-property-alias-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -1,19 +1,19 @@
 // template.marko
 var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
-	const $scope0_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__input_text = _serialize_guard($scope0_reason, 0), $si__input_text = _serialize_if($scope0_reason, 0);
+	const $scope0_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__input_text2 = _serialize_guard($scope0_reason, 0), $si__input_text = _serialize_if($scope0_reason, 0);
 	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
 	const $input_text__closures = new Set();
 	const Child = { content: _content("__tests__/template.marko_1*content", (input) => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-		const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason();
-		_html(`${_escape(input.text)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0", _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 1))} and `);
+		const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__input_text = _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 1);
+		_html(`${_escape(input.text) || _sep($sg__input_text)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0", $sg__input_text)} and `);
 		_dynamic_tag($scope1_id, "#text/1", input.content, {}, 0, 0, _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 2));
 		_serialize_if($scope1_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope1_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "1:1");
 	}, $scope0_id) };
 	const { text } = input;
 	_set_serialize_reason({
-		0: $sg__input_text,
-		1: $sg__input_text
+		0: $sg__input_text2,
+		1: $sg__input_text2
 	});
 	const $childScope = _peek_scope_id();
 	Child.content({
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 		content: _content("__tests__/template.marko_2*content", () => {
 			const $scope2_reason = _scope_reason();
 			const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(text)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "#text/0", $sg__input_text)}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(text) || _sep($sg__input_text2)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "#text/0", $sg__input_text2)}`);
 			$si__input_text && _subscribe($input_text__closures, writeScope($scope2_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) }, "__tests__/template.marko", "7:1"));
 			_resume_branch($scope2_id);
 		}, $scope0_id)
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/input-property-alias-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/input-property-alias-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index e8e8fa7d848..f701d96a19b 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/input-property-alias-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/input-property-alias-closure/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -1,19 +1,19 @@
 // template.marko
 var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
-	const $scope0_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__input_text = _serialize_guard($scope0_reason, 0), $si__input_text = _serialize_if($scope0_reason, 0);
+	const $scope0_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__input_text2 = _serialize_guard($scope0_reason, 0), $si__input_text = _serialize_if($scope0_reason, 0);
 	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
 	const $input_text__closures = /* @__PURE__ */ new Set();
 	const Child = { content: _content("a0", (input) => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-		const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason();
-		_html(`${_escape(input.text)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a", _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 1))} and `);
+		const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__input_text = _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 1);
+		_html(`${_escape(input.text) || _sep($sg__input_text)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a", $sg__input_text)} and `);
 		_dynamic_tag($scope1_id, "b", input.content, {}, 0, 0, _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 2));
 		_serialize_if($scope1_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope1_id, {});
 	}, $scope0_id) };
 	const { text } = input;
 	_set_serialize_reason({
-		0: $sg__input_text,
-		1: $sg__input_text
+		0: $sg__input_text2,
+		1: $sg__input_text2
 	});
 	const $childScope = _peek_scope_id();
 	Child.content({
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 		content: _content("a1", () => {
 			_scope_reason();
 			const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(text)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "a", $sg__input_text)}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(text) || _sep($sg__input_text2)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "a", $sg__input_text2)}`);
 			$si__input_text && _subscribe($input_text__closures, writeScope($scope2_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) }));
 			_resume_branch($scope2_id);
 		}, $scope0_id)
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/known-tag-spread-unused/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/known-tag-spread-unused/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 715620f9d33..908057c9810 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/known-tag-spread-unused/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/known-tag-spread-unused/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
 	const Foo = { content: _content("__tests__/template.marko_1*content", (input) => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-		const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason();
-		_html(`${_escape(input.foo || "fallback")}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0", _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 0))}`);
+		const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__input_foo = _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 0);
+		_html(`${_escape(input.foo || "fallback") || _sep($sg__input_foo)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0", $sg__input_foo)}`);
 		_serialize_if($scope1_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope1_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "1:2");
 	}, $scope0_id) };
 	const Bar = { content: _content("__tests__/template.marko_2*content", (input) => {
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/known-tag-spread-unused/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/known-tag-spread-unused/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index 30c360e6588..bccc4b0d2c0 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/known-tag-spread-unused/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/known-tag-spread-unused/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
 	const Foo = { content: _content("a0", (input) => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-		const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason();
-		_html(`${_escape(input.foo || "fallback")}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a", _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 0))}`);
+		const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__input_foo = _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 0);
+		_html(`${_escape(input.foo || "fallback") || _sep($sg__input_foo)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a", $sg__input_foo)}`);
 		_serialize_if($scope1_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope1_id, {});
 	}, $scope0_id) };
 	({ content: _content("a1", (input) => {
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/let-tag-derived/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/let-tag-derived/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index e01160b6f6b..9b2ba910eb9 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/let-tag-derived/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/let-tag-derived/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 // template.marko
 var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
-	const $scope0_reason = _scope_reason();
+	const $scope0_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__input_a = _serialize_guard($scope0_reason, 0);
 	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
 	const { a } = input;
 	let b = a * 2;
-	_html(`<button>Increment</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#button/0")}${_escape(a)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/1", _serialize_guard($scope0_reason, 0))} <!>${_escape(b)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/2")}`);
+	_html(`<button>Increment</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#button/0")}${_escape(a) || _sep($sg__input_a)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/1", $sg__input_a)} <!>${_escape(b)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/2")}`);
 	_script($scope0_id, "__tests__/template.marko_0");
 	writeScope($scope0_id, { b }, "__tests__/template.marko", 0, { b: "2:6" });
 	_resume_branch($scope0_id);
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/let-tag-derived/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/let-tag-derived/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index f3fc2f88b74..d94ad709f8d 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/let-tag-derived/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/let-tag-derived/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 // template.marko
 var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
-	const $scope0_reason = _scope_reason();
+	const $sg__input_a = _serialize_guard(_scope_reason(), 0);
 	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
 	const { a } = input;
 	let b = a * 2;
-	_html(`<button>Increment</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "a")}${_escape(a)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "b", _serialize_guard($scope0_reason, 0))} <!>${_escape(b)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "c")}`);
+	_html(`<button>Increment</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "a")}${_escape(a) || _sep($sg__input_a)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "b", $sg__input_a)} <!>${_escape(b)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "c")}`);
 	_script($scope0_id, "a0");
 	writeScope($scope0_id, { g: b });
 	_resume_branch($scope0_id);
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/let-tag-with-intersection/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/let-tag-with-intersection/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index e4d9662957d..6eea2e109b3 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/let-tag-with-intersection/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/let-tag-with-intersection/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 	const y = x + 1;
 	const z = x + 2;
 	const a = y + z;
-	_html(`<button>${_escape(x)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/1")}</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#button/0")}${_escape(y)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/2")} <!>${_escape(z)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/3")} <!>${_escape(a)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/4")}`);
+	_html(`<button>${_escape(x)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/1")}</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#button/0")}${_escape(y) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/2")} <!>${_escape(z)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/3")} <!>${_escape(a)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/4")}`);
 	_script($scope0_id, "__tests__/template.marko_0");
 	writeScope($scope0_id, { x }, "__tests__/template.marko", 0, { x: "1:6" });
 	_resume_branch($scope0_id);
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/let-tag-with-intersection/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/let-tag-with-intersection/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index 8948bc2ea7b..de1fadb6cf9 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/let-tag-with-intersection/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/let-tag-with-intersection/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 	_scope_reason();
 	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
 	let x = 1;
-	_html(`<button>${_escape(x)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "b")}</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "a")}${_escape(2)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "c")} <!>${_escape(3)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "d")} <!>${_escape(5)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "e")}`);
+	_html(`<button>${_escape(x)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "b")}</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "a")}${_escape(2) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "c")} <!>${_escape(3)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "d")} <!>${_escape(5)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "e")}`);
 	_script($scope0_id, "a0");
 	writeScope($scope0_id, { f: x });
 	_resume_branch($scope0_id);
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/let-tag/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/let-tag/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 716e35d7b1d..d5505fcf153 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/let-tag/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/let-tag/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
 	let x = 1;
 	let y = 1;
-	_html(`<button>${_escape(x)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/1")}</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#button/0")}${_escape(y)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/2")}`);
+	_html(`<button>${_escape(x)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/1")}</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#button/0")}${_escape(y) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/2")}`);
 	_script($scope0_id, "__tests__/template.marko_0");
 	writeScope($scope0_id, {
 		x,
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/let-tag/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/let-tag/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index c45ca7aad63..95c9730e554 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/let-tag/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/let-tag/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
 	let x = 1;
 	let y = 1;
-	_html(`<button>${_escape(x)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "b")}</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "a")}${_escape(y)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "c")}`);
+	_html(`<button>${_escape(x)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "b")}</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "a")}${_escape(y) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "c")}`);
 	_script($scope0_id, "a0");
 	writeScope($scope0_id, {
 		d: x,
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/merged-define-tag-templates/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/merged-define-tag-templates/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 658e999babc..da750a4ca09 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/merged-define-tag-templates/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/merged-define-tag-templates/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
 	const A = { content: _content("__tests__/template.marko_1*content", ({ value }) => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-		const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason();
-		_html(`${_escape(value)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0", _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 0))}`);
+		const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__value = _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 0);
+		_html(`${_escape(value) || _sep($sg__value)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0", $sg__value)}`);
 		_serialize_if($scope1_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope1_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "1:1");
 	}, $scope0_id) };
 	const B = { content: _content("__tests__/template.marko_2*content", ({ value }) => {
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/merged-define-tag-templates/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/merged-define-tag-templates/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index f3717766163..724bf59d7e7 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/merged-define-tag-templates/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/merged-define-tag-templates/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
 	const A = { content: _content("a0", ({ value }) => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-		const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason();
-		_html(`${_escape(value)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a", _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 0))}`);
+		const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__value = _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 0);
+		_html(`${_escape(value) || _sep($sg__value)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a", $sg__value)}`);
 		_serialize_if($scope1_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope1_id, {});
 	}, $scope0_id) };
 	const B = { content: _content("a1", ({ value }) => {
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/move-and-clear-children/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/move-and-clear-children/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index d75fb35ddf6..cbdee6cdf04 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/move-and-clear-children/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/move-and-clear-children/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 	_html("<div>");
 	_for_of(children, (child) => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(child.text)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0", $sg__input_children)}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(child.text) || _sep($sg__input_children)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0", $sg__input_children)}`);
 		$si__input_children && writeScope($scope1_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "3:4");
 	}, function(c) {
 		return c.id;
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/move-and-clear-children/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/move-and-clear-children/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index 05b7419fbfc..3c2158ae7bc 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/move-and-clear-children/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/move-and-clear-children/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 	_html("<div>");
 	_for_of(children, (child) => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(child.text)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a", $sg__input_children)}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(child.text) || _sep($sg__input_children)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a", $sg__input_children)}`);
 		$si__input_children && writeScope($scope1_id, {});
 	}, function(c) {
 		return c.id;
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/move-and-clear-top-level/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/move-and-clear-top-level/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index bfafe93804c..bcd8fe1dd4d 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/move-and-clear-top-level/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/move-and-clear-top-level/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
 	_for_of(input.children, (child) => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(child.text)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0", $sg__input_children)}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(child.text) || _sep($sg__input_children)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0", $sg__input_children)}`);
 		$si__input_children && writeScope($scope1_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "1:2");
 	}, function(c) {
 		return c.id;
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/move-and-clear-top-level/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/move-and-clear-top-level/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index a02a7a882ad..7bb45082c23 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/move-and-clear-top-level/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/move-and-clear-top-level/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
 	_for_of(input.children, (child) => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(child.text)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a", $sg__input_children)}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(child.text) || _sep($sg__input_children)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a", $sg__input_children)}`);
 		$si__input_children && writeScope($scope1_id, {});
 	}, function(c) {
 		return c.id;
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/my-for-to/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/my-for-to/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 24eff117e48..0488b63a914 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/my-for-to/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/my-for-to/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -20,9 +20,9 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 	my_for_default({
 		to: 5,
 		content: _content("__tests__/template.marko_1*content", (i) => {
-			const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason();
+			const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__i = _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 0);
 			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(i)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0", _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 0))}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(i) || _sep($sg__i)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0", $sg__i)}`);
 			_serialize_if($scope1_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope1_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "1:2");
 		}, $scope0_id)
 	});
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/my-for-to/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/my-for-to/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index d05cf9c58a2..48d57681509 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/my-for-to/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/my-for-to/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -19,9 +19,9 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 	my_for_default({
 		to: 5,
 		content: _content("a0", (i) => {
-			const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason();
+			const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__i = _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 0);
 			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(i)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a", _serialize_guard($scope1_reason, 0))}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(i) || _sep($sg__i)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a", $sg__i)}`);
 			_serialize_if($scope1_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope1_id, {});
 		}, _scope_id())
 	});
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/namespaced-tags/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/namespaced-tags/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 454c6df2085..351ed8d79f5 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/namespaced-tags/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/namespaced-tags/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 	_dynamic_tag($scope0_id, "#text/5", Parent, {}, _content_resume("__tests__/template.marko_1*content", () => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
 		const $scope1_reason = _scope_reason();
-		_html(`${_unescaped(input.value)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0", $sg__input_value)}`);
+		_html(`${_unescaped(input.value) || _sep($sg__input_value)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0", $sg__input_value)}`);
 		_subscribe($si__input_value && $input_value__closures, writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) }, "__tests__/template.marko", "12:3"));
 		_resume_branch($scope1_id);
 	}, $scope0_id));
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/namespaced-tags/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/namespaced-tags/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index d76213993cc..bdc587b7639 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/namespaced-tags/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/namespaced-tags/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 	_dynamic_tag($scope0_id, "f", Parent, {}, _content_resume("a2", () => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
 		_scope_reason();
-		_html(`${_unescaped(input.value)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a", $sg__input_value)}`);
+		_html(`${_unescaped(input.value) || _sep($sg__input_value)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a", $sg__input_value)}`);
 		_subscribe($si__input_value && $input_value__closures, writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) }));
 		_resume_branch($scope1_id);
 	}, $scope0_id));
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/native-tag-local-closures/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/native-tag-local-closures/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index ec592e58bce..df917379e36 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/native-tag-local-closures/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/native-tag-local-closures/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 		$item = attrTags($item, { content: _content_resume("__tests__/template.marko_3*content", () => {
 			_scope_reason();
 			const $scope3_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(i)}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "#text/0")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(i) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "#text/0")}`);
 			writeScope($scope3_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "11:6");
 		}, $scope0_id) });
 	});
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/native-tag-local-closures/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/native-tag-local-closures/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index fa9d56c08ff..477b73e8012 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/native-tag-local-closures/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/native-tag-local-closures/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 		$item = attrTags($item, { content: _content_resume("a2", () => {
 			_scope_reason();
 			const $scope3_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(i)}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "a")}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(i) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "a")}`);
 			writeScope($scope3_id, {});
 		}, $scope0_id) });
 	});
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-after-node/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-after-node/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index c2004315ce9..fe28c6000dc 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-after-node/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-after-node/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 	_scope_reason();
 	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
 	let b = "";
-	_html(`<div><span>s</span><!>${_escape(b)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/0")}</div><div><!--note--><!>${_escape(b)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/1")}</div><button>set</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#button/2")}`);
+	_html(`<div><span>s</span>${_escape(b) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/0")}</div><div><!--note-->${_escape(b) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/1")}</div><button>set</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#button/2")}`);
 	_script($scope0_id, "__tests__/template.marko_0");
 	writeScope($scope0_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", 0);
 	_resume_branch($scope0_id);
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-after-node/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-after-node/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index 4bd90115627..b68866084e1 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-after-node/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-after-node/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 	_scope_reason();
 	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
 	let b = "";
-	_html(`<div><span>s</span><!>${_escape(b)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "a")}</div><div><!--note--><!>${_escape(b)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "b")}</div><button>set</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "c")}`);
+	_html(`<div><span>s</span>${_escape(b) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "a")}</div><div><!--note-->${_escape(b) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "b")}</div><button>set</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "c")}`);
 	_script($scope0_id, "a0");
 	writeScope($scope0_id, {});
 	_resume_branch($scope0_id);
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/__snapshots__/dom.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/__snapshots__/dom.bundle.debug.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..3489aa52fef
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/__snapshots__/dom.bundle.debug.js
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+// template.marko
+const $template = "<!><!><!><button>fill</button>";
+const $walks = "b%b%b b";
+const $for_content__x = /*@__PURE__*/ _for_closure("#text/1", ($scope) => _text($scope["#text/0"], $scope._.x));
+const $for_content__setup = $for_content__x;
+const $if_content__x = /*@__PURE__*/ _if_closure("#text/0", 0, ($scope) => _text($scope["#text/0"], $scope._.x));
+const $if_content__setup = $if_content__x;
+const $x = /*@__PURE__*/ _let("x/3", ($scope) => {
+	$if_content__x($scope);
+	$for_content__x($scope);
+});
+const $if = /*@__PURE__*/ _if("#text/0", " ", " ", $if_content__setup);
+const $for = /*@__PURE__*/ _for_of("#text/1", "<!> tail", "%", $for_content__setup);
+const $setup__script = _script("__tests__/template.marko_0", ($scope) => _on($scope["#button/2"], "click", function() {
+	$x($scope, "filled");
+}));
+function $setup($scope) {
+	$x($scope, "");
+	$if($scope, true ? 0 : 1);
+	$for($scope, [[1]]);
+	$setup__script($scope);
+}
+var template_default = /*@__PURE__*/ _template("__tests__/template.marko", $template, $walks, $setup);
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/__snapshots__/dom.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/__snapshots__/dom.bundle.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..a8dabc01aec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/__snapshots__/dom.bundle.js
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+// template.marko
+const $for_content__x = /*@__PURE__*/ _for_closure(1, ($scope) => _text($scope.a, $scope._.d));
+const $if_content__x = /*@__PURE__*/ _if_closure(0, 0, ($scope) => _text($scope.a, $scope._.d));
+const $x = /*@__PURE__*/ _let(3, ($scope) => {
+	$if_content__x($scope);
+	$for_content__x($scope);
+});
+const $setup__script = _script("a0", ($scope) => _on($scope.c, "click", function() {
+	$x($scope, "filled");
+}));
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..a07c130272a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+// template.marko
+var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
+	_scope_reason();
+	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
+	let x = "";
+	_if(() => {
+		if (true) {
+			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
+			_html(`${_escape(x) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0")}`);
+			writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) }, "__tests__/template.marko", "2:2");
+			return 0;
+		}
+	}, $scope0_id, "#text/0", 1, 0, 0, 0, 1);
+	_for_of([1], (i) => {
+		const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
+		_html(`${_escape(x) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "#text/0")} tail`);
+		writeScope($scope2_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) }, "__tests__/template.marko", "3:2");
+	}, 0, $scope0_id, "#text/1", 1, 0, 0);
+	_html(`<button>fill</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#button/2")}`);
+	_script($scope0_id, "__tests__/template.marko_0");
+	writeScope($scope0_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", 0);
+	_resume_branch($scope0_id);
+}, 1);
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..b8a2c601f1c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+// template.marko
+var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
+	_scope_reason();
+	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
+	let x = "";
+	_if(() => {
+		{
+			const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
+			_html(`${_escape(x) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a")}`);
+			writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) });
+			return 0;
+		}
+	}, $scope0_id, "a", 1, 0, 0, 0, 1);
+	_for_of([1], (i) => {
+		const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
+		_html(`${_escape(x) || "<!>"}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "a")} tail`);
+		writeScope($scope2_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) });
+	}, 0, $scope0_id, "b", 1, 0, 0);
+	_html(`<button>fill</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "c")}`);
+	_script($scope0_id, "a0");
+	writeScope($scope0_id, {});
+	_resume_branch($scope0_id);
+}, 1);
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/__snapshots__/render.debug.md b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/__snapshots__/render.debug.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..011fd970ffc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/__snapshots__/render.debug.md
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+# Render
+```html
+tail
+<button>
+  fill
+</button>
+```
+
+# Update
+```js
+document.querySelector("button").click();
+```
+```html
+filledfilled tail
+<button>
+  fill
+</button>
+```
+## Change
+```
+UPDATE: ::text@0 "" => "filled"
+UPDATE: ::text@6 "" => "filled"
+```
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/__snapshots__/render.md b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/__snapshots__/render.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..011fd970ffc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/__snapshots__/render.md
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+# Render
+```html
+tail
+<button>
+  fill
+</button>
+```
+
+# Update
+```js
+document.querySelector("button").click();
+```
+```html
+filledfilled tail
+<button>
+  fill
+</button>
+```
+## Change
+```
+UPDATE: ::text@0 "" => "filled"
+UPDATE: ::text@6 "" => "filled"
+```
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/__snapshots__/writes.debug.html b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/__snapshots__/writes.debug.html
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..313a00a9f64
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/__snapshots__/writes.debug.html
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+<!><!--M_*2 #text/0-->
+  <!><!--M_*3 #text/0--> tail<button>fill</button><!--M_*1 #button/2-->
+    <script>
+      WALKER_RUNTIME("M")("_");
+      M._.r = [_ => [1, {
+          "BranchScopes:#text/0": _(2),
+          "BranchScopes:#text/1": _(3)
+        }, {
+          _: _(1)
+        }, {
+          _: _(1)
+        }],
+        "packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/template.marko_0 1"
+      ];
+      M._.w()
+    </script>
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/__snapshots__/writes.html b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/__snapshots__/writes.html
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..36c1531a2ad
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/__snapshots__/writes.html
@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+<!><!--M_*2 a-->
+  <!><!--M_*3 a--> tail<button>fill</button><!--M_*1 c-->
+    <script>
+      WALKER_RUNTIME("M")("_");
+      M._.r = [_ => [1, {
+        Aa: _(2),
+        Ab: _(3)
+      }, {
+        _: _(1)
+      }, {
+        _: _(1)
+      }], "a0 1"];
+      M._.w()
+    </script>
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/sizes.json b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/sizes.json
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..c8d40d72a02
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/sizes.json
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+{
+  "dom": {
+    "template.marko.page.mjs": {
+      "min": 2928,
+      "brotli": 1463
+    }
+  },
+  "html": {
+    "min": 409,
+    "brotli": 280
+  }
+}
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/template.marko b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/template.marko
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..aa1db56937b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/template.marko
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+<let/x=""/>
+<if=true>${x}</if>
+<for|i| of=[1]>${x} tail</for>
+<button onClick() { x = "filled" }>fill</button>
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/test.ts b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..c4fce053c48
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholder-empty-at-section-start/test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+import type { TestConfig } from "../../main.test";
+
+export const config: TestConfig = {
+  steps: [
+    {},
+    (document: Document) => {
+      document.querySelector("button")!.click();
+    },
+  ],
+};
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholders/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholders/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 0f0d0d4434c..080165fd323 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholders/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholders/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 	const $scope0_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__input_x = _serialize_guard($scope0_reason, 0);
 	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
-	_html(`${_sep($sg__input_x)}${_escape(input.x)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/0", $sg__input_x)}<span>${_escape(input.x)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/1", $sg__input_x)}<div></div></span><div><div>a</div>${_escape(input.x)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/2", $sg__input_x)}Hello Text &lt;a/>${_sep($sg__input_x)}${_unescaped(input.x)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/3", $sg__input_x)}Hello HTML <span>hi</span><script${_attr_nonce()}>${_escape_script(`
+	_html(`${_sep($sg__input_x)}${_escape(input.x)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/0", $sg__input_x)}<span>${_escape(input.x)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/1", $sg__input_x)}<div></div></span><div><div>a</div>${_escape(input.x) || _sep($sg__input_x)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/2", $sg__input_x)}Hello Text &lt;a/>${_sep($sg__input_x)}${_unescaped(input.x)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/3", $sg__input_x)}Hello HTML <span>hi</span><script${_attr_nonce()}>${_escape_script(`
     ${_to_text("'Hello <b> <\/script>'")}
   `)}<\/script><style${_attr_nonce()}>${_escape_style(`
     ${_to_text(".test { content: 'Hello <b> </style>' }")}
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholders/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholders/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index b78bc9a2c95..214f2d17451 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholders/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/placeholders/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 	const $scope0_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__input_x = _serialize_guard($scope0_reason, 0);
 	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
-	_html(`${_sep($sg__input_x)}${_escape(input.x)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "a", $sg__input_x)}<span>${_escape(input.x)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "b", $sg__input_x)}<div></div></span><div><div>a</div>${_escape(input.x)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "c", $sg__input_x)}Hello Text &lt;a/>${_sep($sg__input_x)}${_unescaped(input.x)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "d", $sg__input_x)}Hello HTML <span>hi</span><script${_attr_nonce()}>${_escape_script(`
+	_html(`${_sep($sg__input_x)}${_escape(input.x)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "a", $sg__input_x)}<span>${_escape(input.x)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "b", $sg__input_x)}<div></div></span><div><div>a</div>${_escape(input.x) || _sep($sg__input_x)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "c", $sg__input_x)}Hello Text &lt;a/>${_sep($sg__input_x)}${_unescaped(input.x)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "d", $sg__input_x)}Hello HTML <span>hi</span><script${_attr_nonce()}>${_escape_script(`
     ${_to_text("'Hello <b> <\/script>'")}
   `)}<\/script><style${_attr_nonce()}>${_escape_style(`
     ${_to_text(".test { content: 'Hello <b> </style>' }")}
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/remove-and-add-rows/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/remove-and-add-rows/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index d75fb35ddf6..cbdee6cdf04 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/remove-and-add-rows/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/remove-and-add-rows/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 	_html("<div>");
 	_for_of(children, (child) => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(child.text)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0", $sg__input_children)}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(child.text) || _sep($sg__input_children)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "#text/0", $sg__input_children)}`);
 		$si__input_children && writeScope($scope1_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "3:4");
 	}, function(c) {
 		return c.id;
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/remove-and-add-rows/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/remove-and-add-rows/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index 05b7419fbfc..3c2158ae7bc 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/remove-and-add-rows/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/remove-and-add-rows/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 	_html("<div>");
 	_for_of(children, (child) => {
 		const $scope1_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(child.text)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a", $sg__input_children)}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(child.text) || _sep($sg__input_children)}${_el_resume($scope1_id, "a", $sg__input_children)}`);
 		$si__input_children && writeScope($scope1_id, {});
 	}, function(c) {
 		return c.id;
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/show-tag-empty-body/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/show-tag-empty-body/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 963fd7c2698..6dc858951b0 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/show-tag-empty-body/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/show-tag-empty-body/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 // template.marko
 var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
-	const $scope0_reason = _scope_reason();
+	const $scope0_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__input_note = _serialize_guard($scope0_reason, 0);
 	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
 	let reveal = false;
 	_html(`<button>reveal</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#button/0")}`);
 	_show_start(reveal, 1);
-	_html(`${_escape(input.note)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/2", _serialize_guard($scope0_reason, 0))}`);
+	_html(`${_escape(input.note) || _sep($sg__input_note)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#text/2", $sg__input_note)}`);
 	_show_end($scope0_id, "#text/4", reveal);
 	_script($scope0_id, "__tests__/template.marko_0");
 	writeScope($scope0_id, { reveal }, "__tests__/template.marko", 0, { reveal: "1:6" });
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/show-tag-empty-body/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/show-tag-empty-body/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index 959a76aa2ea..b641c34ef5f 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/show-tag-empty-body/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/show-tag-empty-body/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 // template.marko
 var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
-	const $scope0_reason = _scope_reason();
+	const $sg__input_note = _serialize_guard(_scope_reason(), 0);
 	const $scope0_id = _scope_id();
 	let reveal = false;
 	_html(`<button>reveal</button>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "a")}`);
 	_show_start(reveal, 1);
-	_html(`${_escape(input.note)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "c", _serialize_guard($scope0_reason, 0))}`);
+	_html(`${_escape(input.note) || _sep($sg__input_note)}${_el_resume($scope0_id, "c", $sg__input_note)}`);
 	_show_end($scope0_id, "e", reveal);
 	_script($scope0_id, "a0");
 	writeScope($scope0_id, { i: reveal });
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-effects-async/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-effects-async/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index b549ff5929f..683a60291af 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-effects-async/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-effects-async/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -25,9 +25,9 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 			_html("LOADING...");
 		}, $scope0_id) }),
 		catch: attrTag({ content: _content_resume("__tests__/template.marko_3*content", (err) => {
-			const $scope3_reason = _scope_reason();
+			const $scope3_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__err = _serialize_guard($scope3_reason, 0);
 			const $scope3_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(err)}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "#text/0", _serialize_guard($scope3_reason, 0))}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(err) || _sep($sg__err)}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "#text/0", $sg__err)}`);
 			_serialize_if($scope3_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope3_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "17:4");
 		}, $scope0_id) })
 	});
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-effects-async/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-effects-async/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index cf25854de18..d7efc303cac 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-effects-async/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-effects-async/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -25,9 +25,9 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 			_html("LOADING...");
 		}, $scope0_id) }),
 		catch: attrTag({ content: _content_resume("a1", (err) => {
-			const $scope3_reason = _scope_reason();
+			const $scope3_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__err = _serialize_guard($scope3_reason, 0);
 			const $scope3_id = _scope_id();
-			_html(`${_escape(err)}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "a", _serialize_guard($scope3_reason, 0))}`);
+			_html(`${_escape(err) || _sep($sg__err)}${_el_resume($scope3_id, "a", $sg__err)}`);
 			_serialize_if($scope3_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope3_id, {});
 		}, $scope0_id) })
 	});
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-effects-catch-state/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-effects-catch-state/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 50e30eef368..c957ee7e50c 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-effects-catch-state/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-effects-catch-state/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -16,9 +16,9 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 		_subscribe($clickCount__closures, writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) }, "__tests__/template.marko", "4:2"));
 		_resume_branch($scope1_id);
 	}, $scope0_id), { catch: attrTag({ content: _content_resume("__tests__/template.marko_2*content", (err) => {
-		const $scope2_reason = _scope_reason();
+		const $scope2_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__err = _serialize_guard($scope2_reason, 0);
 		const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(err)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "#text/0", _serialize_guard($scope2_reason, 0))}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(err) || _sep($sg__err)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "#text/0", $sg__err)}`);
 		_serialize_if($scope2_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope2_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "12:4");
 	}, $scope0_id) }) });
 	writeScope($scope0_id, {
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-effects-catch-state/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-effects-catch-state/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index cc7d84faa16..491929e87f9 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-effects-catch-state/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-effects-catch-state/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -14,9 +14,9 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 		_subscribe($clickCount__closures, writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) }));
 		_resume_branch($scope1_id);
 	}, $scope0_id), { catch: attrTag({ content: _content_resume("a0", (err) => {
-		const $scope2_reason = _scope_reason();
+		const $scope2_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__err = _serialize_guard($scope2_reason, 0);
 		const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(err)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "a", _serialize_guard($scope2_reason, 0))}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(err) || _sep($sg__err)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "a", $sg__err)}`);
 		_serialize_if($scope2_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope2_id, {});
 	}, $scope0_id) }) });
 	writeScope($scope0_id, {
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-effects-catch/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-effects-catch/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 647266422af..10260870a9f 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-effects-catch/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-effects-catch/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -12,9 +12,9 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 		_script($scope1_id, "__tests__/template.marko_1");
 		writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) }, "__tests__/template.marko", "2:2");
 	}, $scope0_id), { catch: attrTag({ content: _content_resume("__tests__/template.marko_2*content", (err) => {
-		const $scope2_reason = _scope_reason();
+		const $scope2_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__err_message = _serialize_guard($scope2_reason, 0);
 		const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(err.message)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "#text/0", _serialize_guard($scope2_reason, 0))}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(err.message) || _sep($sg__err_message)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "#text/0", $sg__err_message)}`);
 		_serialize_if($scope2_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope2_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "7:4");
 	}, $scope0_id) }) });
 	_html(`<div></div>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "#div/2")}`);
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-effects-catch/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-effects-catch/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index 7df53be83f8..91bf36ca1a8 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-effects-catch/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-effects-catch/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -12,9 +12,9 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 		_script($scope1_id, "a2");
 		writeScope($scope1_id, { _: _scope_with_id($scope0_id) });
 	}, $scope0_id), { catch: attrTag({ content: _content_resume("a0", (err) => {
-		const $scope2_reason = _scope_reason();
+		const $scope2_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__err_message = _serialize_guard($scope2_reason, 0);
 		const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(err.message)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "a", _serialize_guard($scope2_reason, 0))}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(err.message) || _sep($sg__err_message)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "a", $sg__err_message)}`);
 		_serialize_if($scope2_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope2_id, {});
 	}, $scope0_id) }) });
 	_html(`<div></div>${_el_resume($scope0_id, "c")}`);
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-single-throw-sync/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-single-throw-sync/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index 3940be40218..a8a0015c674 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-single-throw-sync/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-single-throw-sync/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -10,9 +10,9 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 			throw new Error("ERROR!");
 		})())}`);
 	}, $scope0_id), { catch: attrTag({ content: _content_resume("__tests__/template.marko_2*content", (err) => {
-		const $scope2_reason = _scope_reason();
+		const $scope2_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__err_message = _serialize_guard($scope2_reason, 0);
 		const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(err.message)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "#text/0", _serialize_guard($scope2_reason, 0))}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(err.message) || _sep($sg__err_message)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "#text/0", $sg__err_message)}`);
 		_serialize_if($scope2_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope2_id, {}, "__tests__/template.marko", "5:3");
 	}, $scope0_id) }) });
 	_html("After");
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-single-throw-sync/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-single-throw-sync/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index aa1aa977052..322b452d644 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-single-throw-sync/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/try-single-throw-sync/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -10,9 +10,9 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 			throw new Error("ERROR!");
 		})())}`);
 	}, $scope0_id), { catch: attrTag({ content: _content_resume("a0", (err) => {
-		const $scope2_reason = _scope_reason();
+		const $scope2_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__err_message = _serialize_guard($scope2_reason, 0);
 		const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
-		_html(`${_escape(err.message)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "a", _serialize_guard($scope2_reason, 0))}`);
+		_html(`${_escape(err.message) || _sep($sg__err_message)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "a", $sg__err_message)}`);
 		_serialize_if($scope2_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope2_id, {});
 	}, $scope0_id) }) });
 	_html("After");
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/unused-dynamic-tag-body-serialize-reason/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/unused-dynamic-tag-body-serialize-reason/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
index f70b7883b96..ff6f2e29b7b 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/unused-dynamic-tag-body-serialize-reason/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/unused-dynamic-tag-body-serialize-reason/__snapshots__/html.bundle.debug.js
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@ var template_default = _template("__tests__/template.marko", (input) => {
 	}, $scope0_id) };
 	const Message = { content: _content("__tests__/template.marko_2*content", (input) => {
 		const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
-		const $scope2_reason = _scope_reason();
-		_html(`${_escape(input.before + input.after)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "#text/0", _serialize_guard($scope2_reason, 0))}`);
+		const $scope2_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__input_before__OR__input_after = _serialize_guard($scope2_reason, 0);
+		_html(`${_escape(input.before + input.after) || _sep($sg__input_before__OR__input_after)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "#text/0", $sg__input_before__OR__input_after)}`);
 		_serialize_if($scope2_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope2_id, {
 			input_before: _serialize_if($scope2_reason, 2) && input.before,
 			input_after: _serialize_if($scope2_reason, 1) && input.after
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/unused-dynamic-tag-body-serialize-reason/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/unused-dynamic-tag-body-serialize-reason/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
index 1ee38e384b4..83a4e9fd3e5 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/unused-dynamic-tag-body-serialize-reason/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/__tests__/fixtures/unused-dynamic-tag-body-serialize-reason/__snapshots__/html.bundle.js
@@ -17,8 +17,8 @@ var template_default = _template("a", (input) => {
 	}, $scope0_id) };
 	const Message = { content: _content("a2", (input) => {
 		const $scope2_id = _scope_id();
-		const $scope2_reason = _scope_reason();
-		_html(`${_escape(input.before + input.after)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "a", _serialize_guard($scope2_reason, 0))}`);
+		const $scope2_reason = _scope_reason(), $sg__input_before__OR__input_after = _serialize_guard($scope2_reason, 0);
+		_html(`${_escape(input.before + input.after) || _sep($sg__input_before__OR__input_after)}${_el_resume($scope2_id, "a", $sg__input_before__OR__input_after)}`);
 		_serialize_if($scope2_reason, 0) && writeScope($scope2_id, {
 			d: _serialize_if($scope2_reason, 2) && input.before,
 			e: _serialize_if($scope2_reason, 1) && input.after
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/translator/visitors/constants/sibling-text.ts b/packages/runtime-tags/src/translator/visitors/constants/sibling-text.ts
index af4285225d2..bd8483376fe 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/translator/visitors/constants/sibling-text.ts
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/translator/visitors/constants/sibling-text.ts
@@ -1,9 +1,6 @@
 export const None = 0;
 export const Before = 1;
 export const After = 2;
-// A non-text node (element/comment) directly precedes: no text to merge
-// with, but resume must not claim that node when the text renders empty.
-export const NodeBefore = 3;
 
 type Self = typeof import("./sibling-text");
 export type Value = Self[keyof Self];
diff --git a/packages/runtime-tags/src/translator/visitors/placeholder.ts b/packages/runtime-tags/src/translator/visitors/placeholder.ts
index a88c711500a..e75ffa312e6 100644
--- a/packages/runtime-tags/src/translator/visitors/placeholder.ts
+++ b/packages/runtime-tags/src/translator/visitors/placeholder.ts
@@ -38,11 +38,13 @@ import { scopeIdentifier } from "./program";
 
 const kNodeBinding = Symbol("placeholder node binding");
 const kSiblingText = Symbol("placeholder has sibling text");
+const kSeparateWhenEmpty = Symbol("placeholder must resume as its own node");
 type SiblingText = SiblingText.Value;
 declare module "@marko/compiler/dist/types" {
   export interface MarkoPlaceholderExtra {
     [kNodeBinding]?: Binding;
     [kSiblingText]?: SiblingText;
+    [kSeparateWhenEmpty]?: true;
   }
 }
 
@@ -162,22 +164,27 @@ function translateExit(placeholder: t.NodePath<t.MarkoPlaceholder>) {
     const markerSerializeReason =
       nodeBinding && getSerializeReason(section, nodeBinding);
 
-    if (isHTML && markerSerializeReason) {
-      if (siblingText === SiblingText.Before) {
-        writeSeparator(write, section, markerSerializeReason);
-      } else if (siblingText === SiblingText.NodeBefore) {
-        // A preceding element/comment would be claimed as the text node when
-        // the value serializes empty, so it gets the same protective separator.
-        writeSeparator(write, section, markerSerializeReason);
-      }
-    }
-
     if (isHTML) {
-      write`${
+      let text =
         method === "_escape"
           ? buildEscapedTextExpression(value)
-          : callRuntime(method as HTMLMethod | DOMMethod, value)
-      }`;
+          : callRuntime(method as HTMLMethod | DOMMethod, value);
+
+      if (markerSerializeReason) {
+        if (siblingText === SiblingText.Before) {
+          // Sibling text merges into this node, so it always needs separating.
+          write`${buildSeparator(section, markerSerializeReason)}`;
+        } else if (extra[kSeparateWhenEmpty]) {
+          // A sibling node is only claimed when there is no text node at all.
+          text = t.logicalExpression(
+            "||",
+            text,
+            buildSeparator(section, markerSerializeReason),
+          );
+        }
+      }
+
+      write`${text}`;
       if (nodeBinding) {
         writer.markNode(placeholder, nodeBinding, markerSerializeReason);
       }
@@ -254,23 +261,18 @@ function buildEscapedTextExpression(value: t.Expression): t.Expression {
   }
 }
 
-// The `<!>` separator keeps resume from claiming the previous node as the
-// placeholder's text node when the serialized text is empty.
-function writeSeparator(
-  write: ReturnType<typeof writer.writeTo>,
+// An empty comment for resume to replace with the placeholder's own text node.
+function buildSeparator(
   section: Section,
   reason: Exclude<ReturnType<typeof getSerializeReason>, undefined | false>,
 ) {
-  if (reason === true || reason.state) {
-    write`<!>`;
-  } else {
-    write`${callRuntime("_sep", getSerializeGuard(section, reason, true))}`;
-  }
+  return reason === true || reason.state
+    ? t.stringLiteral("<!>")
+    : callRuntime("_sep", getSerializeGuard(section, reason, true));
 }
 
 function analyzeSiblingText(placeholder: t.NodePath<t.MarkoPlaceholder>) {
   const placeholderExtra = placeholder.node.extra!;
-  let hasNodeBefore = false;
   let prev = placeholder.getPrevSibling();
   let prevParent: t.NodePath = placeholder.parentPath;
   for (;;) {
@@ -298,12 +300,19 @@ function analyzeSiblingText(placeholder: t.NodePath<t.MarkoPlaceholder>) {
     ) {
       return (placeholderExtra[kSiblingText] = SiblingText.Before);
     } else {
-      hasNodeBefore = true;
+      placeholderExtra[kSeparateWhenEmpty] = true;
       break;
     }
   }
-  if (!prev.node && prevParent.isProgram()) {
-    return (placeholderExtra[kSiblingText] = SiblingText.Before);
+  if (!prev.node) {
+    if (prevParent.isProgram()) {
+      return (placeholderExtra[kSiblingText] = SiblingText.Before);
+    }
+    // A section's content is resumed as its own range, so its first node
+    // cannot be borrowed from whatever the section was rendered against.
+    if (prevParent.node.extra?.section) {
+      placeholderExtra[kSeparateWhenEmpty] = true;
+    }
   }
   let next = placeholder.getNextSibling();
   let nextParent: t.NodePath = placeholder.parentPath;
@@ -337,9 +346,7 @@ function analyzeSiblingText(placeholder: t.NodePath<t.MarkoPlaceholder>) {
     return (placeholderExtra[kSiblingText] = SiblingText.After);
   }
 
-  return (placeholderExtra[kSiblingText] = hasNodeBefore
-    ? SiblingText.NodeBefore
-    : SiblingText.None);
+  return (placeholderExtra[kSiblingText] = SiblingText.None);
 }
 
 // Returns the owner tag when `parent` is the body of a tag that inlines its