diff --git a/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/account.py b/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/account.py
index 64e9ae0c45..47f78eba8c 100644
--- a/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/account.py
+++ b/synapse/rest/client/v2_alpha/account.py
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ class ThreepidRequestTokenRestServlet(RestServlet):
             if k not in body:
                 absent.append(k)
 
-        if len(absent) > 0:
+        if absent:
             raise SynapseError(400, "Missing params: %r" % absent, Codes.MISSING_PARAM)
 
         existingUid = yield self.hs.get_datastore().get_user_id_by_threepid(