diff --git a/packages/mdc-chips/chip-set/foundation.ts b/packages/mdc-chips/chip-set/foundation.ts
index 019b3a65df3..11a70fb59fe 100644
--- a/packages/mdc-chips/chip-set/foundation.ts
+++ b/packages/mdc-chips/chip-set/foundation.ts
@@ -110,12 +110,6 @@ export class MDCChipSetFoundation extends MDCFoundation<MDCChipSetAdapter> {
     this.adapter_.removeChipAtIndex(index);
     const maxIndex = this.adapter_.getChipListCount() - 1;
     const nextIndex = Math.min(index, maxIndex);
-
-    // Early exit if there are no other chips in the set
-    if (nextIndex < 0) {
-      return;
-    }
-
     this.removeFocusFromChipsExcept_(nextIndex);
     // After removing a chip, we should focus the trailing action for the next chip.
     this.adapter_.focusChipTrailingActionAtIndex(nextIndex);
diff --git a/test/unit/mdc-chips/mdc-chip-set.foundation.test.js b/test/unit/mdc-chips/mdc-chip-set.foundation.test.js
index f312caad500..db74b22a1a4 100644
--- a/test/unit/mdc-chips/mdc-chip-set.foundation.test.js
+++ b/test/unit/mdc-chips/mdc-chip-set.foundation.test.js
@@ -245,15 +245,6 @@ test('#handleChipRemoval gives focus to the next chip', () => {
   td.verify(mockAdapter.focusChipTrailingActionAtIndex(1));
 });
 
-test('#handleChipRemoval does not throw error if chip set is left empty', () => {
-  const {foundation, mockAdapter} = setupTest();
-  td.when(mockAdapter.getChipListCount()).thenReturn(0);
-  td.when(mockAdapter.getIndexOfChipById('chipA')).thenReturn(0);
-
-  foundation.handleChipRemoval('chipA');
-  td.verify(mockAdapter.focusChipTrailingActionAtIndex(-1), {times: 0});
-});
-
 function setupChipNavigationTest(chipIds, isRTL=false) {
   const {foundation, mockAdapter} = setupTest();
   td.when(mockAdapter.getIndexOfChipById(td.matchers.isA(String))).thenDo((id) => {