diff --git a/python/arcticdb/version_store/_store.py b/python/arcticdb/version_store/_store.py
index 4a45c24fb7..38d4450ccb 100644
--- a/python/arcticdb/version_store/_store.py
+++ b/python/arcticdb/version_store/_store.py
@@ -1706,10 +1706,8 @@ def _postprocess_df_with_only_rowcount_idx(self, read_result, row_range):
         )
 
     def _resolve_empty_columns(self, columns, implement_read_index):
-        is_columns_empty = (
-            columns is None
-            or (isinstance(columns, list) and len(columns) == 0)
-            or (isinstance(columns, np.ndarray) and columns.size == 0)
+        is_columns_empty = (isinstance(columns, list) and len(columns) == 0) or (
+            isinstance(columns, np.ndarray) and columns.size == 0
         )
         if not implement_read_index and is_columns_empty:
             columns = None