diff --git a/debian/alternc.config b/debian/alternc.config
index 83a01b57..8d12d465 100644
--- a/debian/alternc.config
+++ b/debian/alternc.config
@@ -171,9 +171,10 @@ while [ "$QUEST_STATE" != 0 -a "$QUEST_STATE" != 11 ]; do
   ;;
   9)
     db_get alternc/use_local_mysql || true
-    if [ "$RET" = "false" ]; then
-    #user want to use a remote server
-    check_mysql
+    if [ -z "$RET" ]
+      then
+      #user want to use a remote server
+      check_mysql
     fi
   ;;
   10)