Prepend Related Issues Addon - Error message due to blank field

[James Godbold]

How do I configure the JQL so that it does not return the following error when the field is EMPTY

"Expecting either a value, list or function before the end of the query"

my query is: cf[11700] ~ {{customfield_11700}}

The field in question is a custom text field (single line). As such, I can't use the helper {{eq customerfield_11700}}

I am using Atlassian Cloud