diff --git a/lights.js b/lights.js
index 283d24b..3665324 100644
--- a/lights.js
+++ b/lights.js
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ function tick_pattern() {
   // do the parsing stuff here
   log.debug("TICKING PATTERN")
 
-  if (pattern) {
+  if (Object.keys(pattern).length > 0) {
 
   }
   else {