diff --git a/django_mongodb/query.py b/django_mongodb/query.py
index f952c9aba..92ad9e3e2 100644
--- a/django_mongodb/query.py
+++ b/django_mongodb/query.py
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ def where_node(self, compiler, connection):
     if len(children_mql) == 1:
         mql = children_mql[0]
     elif len(children_mql) > 1:
-        mql = {operator: children_mql} if children_mql else {}
+        mql = {operator: children_mql}
     else:
         mql = {}