I am trying to spawn a Vex without a sword, using LivingEntity.getEquipment.setItemInMainHand.

Replacing the sword (with a stick, for instance) works, but setting it to air (or null) does not. I've tried delaying the set for some ticks after spawning, but that doesn't work either.

I was thinking it may be a client bug, related to this MC issue but I am able to spawn a vex without a sword using the vanilla /summon command:

/summon Vex ~ ~ ~ {HandItems:[{id:air,Count:1},{}]}

Is there something I'm doing wrong, or some other way to spawn a Vex without a sword? Has anyone been able to do it?