AJO - Conditional Content Spacing Issue

Hi,

I’m running into an issue with conditional content and could use some input or best practices.

Right now, I have the default variant set as an empty text box — the goal being that if a user doesn’t meet any of the audience/condition criteria, it renders without additional copy. However, when I test it, there’s still extra spacing showing up where that content block is. The empty text box has no padding or margin, but it’s still leaving a noticeable gap. 

Has anyone experienced this or found a good workaround?

Thanks in advance!