Is there a timeframe on the bugfix? I have tried six times with a new save each time. Bug procs every single time on the downloadable version.
When you see that blank text it's not necessary to start a new game, just reboot it and continue on your save file.
I also heard reports that even with that empty text everything seems normal. Apparently it's very inconsistent.
The bug is already fixed, but only in the patreon version :/
Sadly, I have only one build of the game on which I work on, so I can't come back to fix bugs in the public version.