diff --git a/lib/Doctrine/Validator/Notnull.php b/lib/Doctrine/Validator/Notnull.php
index 2ceb11a08..b7b131c95 100644
--- a/lib/Doctrine/Validator/Notnull.php
+++ b/lib/Doctrine/Validator/Notnull.php
@@ -40,9 +40,6 @@ class Doctrine_Validator_Notnull
      */
     public function validate(Doctrine_Record $record, $key, $value)
     {
-        if ($value === null || $value === '') {
-            return false;
-        }
-        return true;
+        return !is_null($value);
     }
 }