diff --git a/python/tests/beagle_numba.py b/python/tests/beagle_numba.py
index 63dcea8d69..5105a14639 100644
--- a/python/tests/beagle_numba.py
+++ b/python/tests/beagle_numba.py
@@ -103,9 +103,7 @@ def check_data(ref_h, query_h):
     m = ref_h.shape[0]
     assert m == len(query_h), "Reference and query differ in length."
     for i in range(m):
-        if query_h[i] == tskit.MISSING_DATA:
-            continue
-        else:
+        if query_h[i] != tskit.MISSING_DATA:
             if query_h[i] not in ref_h[i, :]:
                 print(f"Allele {query_h[i]} at {i}th position not in reference.")
                 return False