diff --git a/python/torch_mlir/extras/onnx_importer.py b/python/torch_mlir/extras/onnx_importer.py
index c6923e82df0c..a4f95c3ee778 100644
--- a/python/torch_mlir/extras/onnx_importer.py
+++ b/python/torch_mlir/extras/onnx_importer.py
@@ -239,6 +239,7 @@ class NodeImporter:
         "_p",
         "_b",
         "_nv_map",
+        "_none_value",
     ]
 
     def __init__(
@@ -259,6 +260,7 @@ def __init__(
         self._p = parent_op
         self._b = block
         self._nv_map: Dict[str, Value] = {}
+        self._none_value: Optional[Value] = None
 
     @classmethod
     def define_function(
@@ -366,8 +368,8 @@ def import_all(self, func=True):
                 Operation.create(name="torch.operator_terminator", operands=outputs)
 
     def get_none(self):
-        if "" in self._nv_map:
-            return self._nv_map[""]
+        if self._none_value is not None:
+            return self._none_value
 
         with InsertionPoint(self._b), Location.name("onnx_importer.none"):
             nne = Operation.create(
@@ -376,7 +378,7 @@ def get_none(self):
                 operands=[],
                 attributes={},
             ).results[0]
-            self._nv_map[""] = nne
+            self._none_value = nne
             return nne
 
     def import_node(self, node: onnx.NodeProto):
@@ -396,6 +398,12 @@ def import_node(self, node: onnx.NodeProto):
             input_values = []
             input_type_protos = []
             for input_name in node.input:
+                # ONNX uses the empty string for omitted optional inputs; it must not
+                # be confused with _nv_map[""], which may hold a real tensor named "".
+                if input_name == "":
+                    input_values.append(self.get_none())
+                    input_type_protos.append(onnx.TypeProto())
+                    continue
                 try:
                     input_values.append(self._nv_map[input_name])
                     # Missing optional arguments will have empty types
@@ -447,7 +455,8 @@ def import_node(self, node: onnx.NodeProto):
                 self.import_regions(node.attribute, custom_op)
 
             for output_name, output_value in zip(output_names, custom_op.results):
-                self._nv_map[output_name] = output_value
+                if output_name != "":
+                    self._nv_map[output_name] = output_value
 
     def import_attributes(self, onnx_attrs: List[onnx.AttributeProto]):
         attrs = {}
diff --git a/test/python/onnx_importer/test_empty_string_optional_inputs.py b/test/python/onnx_importer/test_empty_string_optional_inputs.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..c401526805a3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/python/onnx_importer/test_empty_string_optional_inputs.py
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+# Part of the LLVM Project, under the Apache License v2.0 with LLVM Exceptions.
+# See https://llvm.org/LICENSE.txt for license information.
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0 WITH LLVM-exception
+
+# RUN: %PYTHON %s
+
+"""Regression for NodeImporter: ONNX input name '' means omitted optional.
+
+The importer must not conflate that with _nv_map[""] when an earlier node binds
+a real tensor to the empty-string output name (see onnx_importer empty-string
+collision fix).
+"""
+
+import unittest
+
+import onnx
+from onnx import TensorProto, helper
+
+from _torch_mlir_config import configure_context, ir, onnx_importer
+
+
+def _minimal_collision_model() -> onnx.ModelProto:
+    """Identity writes to output ""; second node lists '', '' as omitted inputs."""
+    inp = helper.make_tensor_value_info("x", TensorProto.FLOAT, [1, 2])
+    out = helper.make_tensor_value_info("y", TensorProto.FLOAT, [1, 2])
+    n1 = helper.make_node("Identity", ["x"], [""])
+    n2 = helper.make_node(
+        "ReproEmptyStringCollision",
+        ["x", "", ""],
+        ["y"],
+        domain="zmc.repro",
+    )
+    graph = helper.make_graph([n1, n2], "g", [inp], [out])
+    return helper.make_model(
+        graph,
+        opset_imports=[
+            helper.make_opsetid("", 21),
+            helper.make_opsetid("zmc.repro", 1),
+        ],
+    )
+
+
+class EmptyStringOptionalInputsTest(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_optional_slots_use_constant_none_not_prior_tensor(self):
+        model = _minimal_collision_model()
+        ctx = ir.Context()
+        configure_context(ctx)
+        mi = onnx_importer.ModelInfo(model)
+        m = mi.create_module(context=ctx).operation
+        onnx_importer.NodeImporter.define_function(mi.main_graph, m).import_all()
+        asm = m.get_asm()
+        lines = [
+            ln.strip() for ln in asm.splitlines() if "ReproEmptyStringCollision" in ln
+        ]
+        self.assertEqual(
+            len(lines),
+            1,
+            msg="expected exactly one onnx.ReproEmptyStringCollision operator line",
+        )
+        line = lines[0]
+        # Correct: trailing optionals are torch.constant.none uses (printed as %none, %none).
+        self.assertGreaterEqual(
+            line.count("%none"),
+            2,
+            msg=f"expected at least two %none operands for omitted inputs, got:\n{line}",
+        )
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    unittest.main()