diff --git a/lib/routes.js b/lib/routes.js
index c0364695..e09b91e8 100644
--- a/lib/routes.js
+++ b/lib/routes.js
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ var poll = function(req, res) {
   var rateRec = _trader.rate(req.params.currency);
   var satoshiBalanceRec = _trader.balance;
 
-  if (rateRec === null || satoshiBalanceRec === null)
+  if (!rateRec || !satoshiBalanceRec)
     return res.json({err: 'Server initializing'});
   if (Date.now() - rateRec.timestamp > STALE_TICKER)
     return res.json({err: 'Stale ticker'});