pg_atoi: zero length string

I know, it's late, and I assume this is intentional, but wanted to check:

on 7.2.3:
$ psql
Welcome to psql, the PostgreSQL interactive terminal.

Type: \copyright for distribution terms
\h for help with SQL commands
\? for help on internal slash commands
\g or terminate with semicolon to execute query
\q to quit

ler=# \d
List of relations
Name | Type | Owner
-------------+-------+-------
nat_dal_est | table | ler
(1 row)

ler=# create table z_test(t int);
CREATE
ler=# insert into z_test(t) values('');
INSERT 40606 1
ler=# select * from z_test;
t
---
0
(1 row)

ler=# \q
$
Connection to ler-freebie.iadfw.net closed.
$

on 7.3rc1:
$ psql
Welcome to psql 7.3rc1, the PostgreSQL interactive terminal.

Type: \copyright for distribution terms
\h for help with SQL commands
\? for help on internal slash commands
\g or terminate with semicolon to execute query
\q to quit

ler=# create table z_test(t int);
CREATE TABLE
ler=# insert into z_test(t) values('');
ERROR: pg_atoi: zero-length string
ler=# \q
$

This drive phpgroupware nuts...

(their code needs help, but).

LER

--
Larry Rosenman http://www.lerctr.org/~ler
Phone: +1 972-414-9812 E-Mail: ler(at)lerctr(dot)org
US Mail: 1905 Steamboat Springs Drive, Garland, TX 75044-6749