diff --git a/erpnext/public/js/utils.js b/erpnext/public/js/utils.js
index 6d73418..ea2093e 100755
--- a/erpnext/public/js/utils.js
+++ b/erpnext/public/js/utils.js
@@ -703,9 +703,13 @@
 }
 
 frappe.form.link_formatters['Item'] = function(value, doc) {
-	if(doc && doc.item_name && doc.item_name !== value) {
-		return value? value + ': ' + doc.item_name: doc.item_name;
+	if (doc && value && doc.item_name && doc.item_name !== value) {
+		return value + ': ' + doc.item_name;
+	} else if (!value && doc.doctype && doc.item_name) {
+		// format blank value in child table
+		return doc.item_name;
 	} else {
+		// if value is blank in report view or item code and name are the same, return as is
 		return value;
 	}
 }