diff --git a/.gitlab-ci.d/base.yml b/.gitlab-ci.d/base.yml
index f334f3ded7..69b36c148a 100644
--- a/.gitlab-ci.d/base.yml
+++ b/.gitlab-ci.d/base.yml
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@
     #############################################################
 
     # Cirrus jobs can't run unless the creds / target repo are set
-    - if: '$QEMU_JOB_CIRRUS && ($CIRRUS_GITHUB_REPO == "" || $CIRRUS_API_TOKEN == "")'
+    - if: '$QEMU_JOB_CIRRUS && ($CIRRUS_GITHUB_REPO == null || $CIRRUS_API_TOKEN == null)'
       when: never
 
     # Publishing jobs should only run on the default branch in upstream