diff --git a/lua/sweetie/init.lua b/lua/sweetie/init.lua
index f9be905..26d4e88 100644
--- a/lua/sweetie/init.lua
+++ b/lua/sweetie/init.lua
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ local highlights = require("sweetie.highlights")
 
 -- fallback to default configuration values if there is no user configuration yet
 -- and merge defaults with user configuration values otherwise
-if not vim.g.sweetie or vim.g.sweetie <= 0 then
+if not vim.g.sweetie or #vim.g.sweetie <= 0 then
   vim.g.sweetie = default_config
 else
   vim.g.sweetie = vim.tbl_deep_extend("force", default_config, vim.g.sweetie)