How to remove the added row when adding an empty DataSource to the BindingSource?

Question

C++ / C#

If BindingSource.DataSource is assigned an empty list, then an empty string is added. How to make it not added? AllowNew is false;
So far I've done this:

var items = GetItems();
bindingSource.DataSource = items.Count > 0 ? items : (object) typeof(Item);

But it seems to me that this is a crutch and there should be another way.