Getting Error: Invalid bytes string given: 0x [web3@1.0.0-beta.48] on simple Solidity view function

[netpoe]

*I've looked into the other issues related to this error, but this is caused by something different

Description

Using web3@1.0.0-beta.48 I have the following contract function:

pragma solidity ^0.5.2;

contract Versioned {
    string[] public data; // when deployed, data already has 1 item

    function getVersionIndex() public view returns (uint count) {
        return data.length - 1;
    }
}

The Web3 code is:

  const versionIndex = await contract.getVersionIndex();

  // ...
  public getVersionIndex(): Promise<any> {
    return this.contract.methods.getVersionIndex().call(); 
  }

Contract class already has an address and the method does not require any params.

I've tried adding the { from: "0xadress" }, but it makes no difference.

Expected behavior

Return the value of the Solidity data.length as uint count.

As a note, I've debugged the contract using https://remix.ethereum.org/ and the getVersionIndex() function works as expected.

Error Logs

The error is originating at AbiCoder.decodeParameters of web3-eth-abi.umd.js:65:

key: "decodeParameters",
      value: function decodeParameters(outputs, bytes) {

        if (!bytes || bytes === '0x' || bytes === '0X') {
          throw new Error("Invalid bytes string given: ".concat(bytes));
        }

Versions

• web3.js: web3@1.0.0-beta.48
• nodejs: v10.15.3
• browser: Chrome Version 72.0.3626.121 (Official Build) (64-bit) MaxOSX
• ethereum node: Ropsten test network with Metamask

[nivida]

Will check this closer asap.

[koderholic]

I'm having exactly the same issue. @nivida what clarification do you need?

[Karandeep-singh-saini]

I'm too facing same issue , Is there any update on this?

[tgreco]

Same issue.

[rajeshsubhankar]

Same for me. Works fine after downgrading to web3@1.0.0-beta.27

[HoangJerry]

I still get it on beta 51
Error: Uncaught (in promise): Error: Invalid bytes string given: 0x
Error: Invalid bytes string given: 0x

[HoangJerry]

[jbtobar]

Similar issue with beta-58
Error: Invalid bytes string given: undefined

[sumitpatel93]

Same for me. Works fine after downgrading to web3@1.0.0-beta.27

I think downgrading and upgrading shouldn't be the solution for this problem.