diff --git a/barcode/writer.py b/barcode/writer.py
index e591cd3..27ca933 100755
--- a/barcode/writer.py
+++ b/barcode/writer.py
@@ -448,6 +448,8 @@ def _paint_module(self, xpos, ypos, width, color):
 
         def _paint_text(self, xpos, ypos):
             font_size = int(mm2px(pt2mm(self.font_size), self.dpi))
+            if font_size <= 0:
+                return
             font = ImageFont.truetype(self.font_path, font_size)
             for subtext in self.text.split("\n"):
                 pos = (