# HTM-007: empty ssml:ph pronunciation, how to fix it

Source: https://epubcc.com/epubcheck/htm-007/ (updated 2026-11-04)

EPUBCheck HTM-007 is a warning message: “Empty or whitespace-only value of attribute ssml:ph.” An ssml:ph attribute is empty or contains only whitespace. The attribute gives a phonetic pronunciation for text-to-speech, so an empty one gives the speech engine nothing to use.

- Official message (EPUBCheck 5.4.0): Empty or whitespace-only value of attribute ssml:ph.
- Default severity: Warning

## Typical causes

- A pronunciation attribute added by a tool or template and never filled in.
- A value removed by hand while keeping the attribute.

## How to fix it

1. Open the file EPUBCheck names (the message gives the path, line and column) in a text or EPUB editor such as Sigil, or unzip the EPUB and open it there.
2. Fill in the pronunciation in the alphabet the document declares (ssml:alphabet), or remove the ssml:ph attribute.
3. If no element uses SSML any more, remove the xmlns:ssml declaration as well.
4. Rebuild the EPUB and run EPUBCheck again to confirm the message is gone.

## When it's not this

This only concerns SSML pronunciation hints; it says nothing about media overlays narration.

## Sources

- EPUBCheck 5.4.0 message texts (MessageBundle.properties, w3c/epubcheck on GitHub): https://github.com/w3c/epubcheck/blob/v5.4.0/src/main/resources/com/adobe/epubcheck/messages/MessageBundle.properties (read 2026-11-04)

Message text and severity: EPUBCheck (W3C, BSD-3-Clause). Explanation: EpubCC.