diff --git a/cps/db.py b/cps/db.py
index 6ffc682f..06a42b8e 100644
--- a/cps/db.py
+++ b/cps/db.py
@@ -780,7 +780,7 @@ class CalibreDB():
 
     # read search results from calibre-database and return it (function is used for feed and simple search
     def get_search_results(self, term, offset=None, order=None, limit=None, *join):
-        order = order[0] or [Books.sort]
+        order = order[0] if order else [Books.sort]
         pagination = None
         result = self.search_query(term, *join).order_by(*order).all()
         result_count = len(result)
diff --git a/cps/web.py b/cps/web.py
index 940897d3..94688e47 100644
--- a/cps/web.py
+++ b/cps/web.py
@@ -637,7 +637,7 @@ def render_language_books(page, name, order):
 
 
 def render_read_books(page, are_read, as_xml=False, order=None):
-    sort = order[0] or []
+    sort = order[0] if order else []
     if not config.config_read_column:
         if are_read:
             db_filter = and_(ub.ReadBook.user_id == int(current_user.id),
@@ -1272,7 +1272,7 @@ def extend_search_term(searchterm,
 
 
 def render_adv_search_results(term, offset=None, order=None, limit=None):
-    sort = order[0] or [db.Books.sort]
+    sort = order[0] if order else [db.Books.sort]
     pagination = None
 
     cc = get_cc_columns(filter_config_custom_read=True)