diff --git a/src/sugar3/profile.py b/src/sugar3/profile.py
index d5757c34..21eb2b8d 100644
--- a/src/sugar3/profile.py
+++ b/src/sugar3/profile.py
@@ -68,8 +68,8 @@ class Profile(object):
         nick = get_nick_name()
         color = get_color()
 
-        return nick is not '' and \
-            color is not '' and \
+        return nick != '' and \
+            color != '' and \
             self.pubkey is not None and \
             self.privkey_hash is not None