diff --git a/staticmap/staticmap.py b/staticmap/staticmap.py
index d2139d9..d7c25c7 100644
--- a/staticmap/staticmap.py
+++ b/staticmap/staticmap.py
@@ -247,7 +247,8 @@ def render(self, zoom=None, center=None):
         """
 
         if not self.lines and not self.markers and not self.polygons and not (center and zoom):
-            raise RuntimeError("cannot render empty map, add lines / markers / polygons first")
+            if zoom is None or center is None:
+                raise RuntimeError("cannot render empty map, either add lines / markers / polygons or specify center and zoom for an empty map")
 
         if zoom is None:
             self.zoom = self._calculate_zoom()