diff --git a/doc/oil.txt b/doc/oil.txt
index 300cca1..38a0d1a 100644
--- a/doc/oil.txt
+++ b/doc/oil.txt
@@ -646,6 +646,9 @@ yank_entry                                                    *actions.yank_entr
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 HIGHLIGHTS                                                        *oil-highlights*
 
+OilEmpty                                                             *hl-OilEmpty*
+    Empty column values
+
 OilHidden                                                           *hl-OilHidden*
     Hidden entry in an oil buffer
 
diff --git a/lua/oil/columns.lua b/lua/oil/columns.lua
index e3a4395..46ef96b 100644
--- a/lua/oil/columns.lua
+++ b/lua/oil/columns.lua
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ M.get_supported_columns = function(adapter_or_scheme)
   return ret
 end
 
-local EMPTY = { "-", "Comment" }
+local EMPTY = { "-", "OilEmpty" }
 
 M.EMPTY = EMPTY
 
diff --git a/lua/oil/init.lua b/lua/oil/init.lua
index 44945bb..d730492 100644
--- a/lua/oil/init.lua
+++ b/lua/oil/init.lua
@@ -823,6 +823,11 @@ end
 ---@private
 M._get_highlights = function()
   return {
+    {
+      name = "OilEmpty",
+      link = "Comment",
+      desc = "Empty column values",
+    },
     {
       name = "OilHidden",
       link = "Comment",