diff --git a/zun/common/utils.py b/zun/common/utils.py
index 1c9b27f18..f51a85a6a 100644
--- a/zun/common/utils.py
+++ b/zun/common/utils.py
@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ def parse_floating_cpu(spec):
 
 
 def get_security_group_ids(context, security_groups, **kwargs):
-    if security_groups is None:
+    if not security_groups:
         return None
     else:
         neutron = clients.OpenStackClients(context).neutron()