diff --git a/client/text_query.py b/client/text_query.py
index 841279101..e513128b5 100644
--- a/client/text_query.py
+++ b/client/text_query.py
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ def query(options):
 
     rc = 0
 
-    if len(options) < 1:
+    if not options:
         return -10
 
     equoRequestDeep = False
@@ -46,6 +46,9 @@ def query(options):
             if not opt.startswith("-"):
                 myopts.append(opt)
 
+    if not myopts:
+        return -10
+
     if myopts[0] == "installed":
         rc = searchInstalledPackages(myopts[1:])