diff --git a/system/database/DB_active_rec.php b/system/database/DB_active_rec.php
index 05a0435..17cdc32 100644
--- a/system/database/DB_active_rec.php
+++ b/system/database/DB_active_rec.php
@@ -454,13 +454,11 @@
 					$k .= ' =';
 				}
 
-				if ($v !== '' AND $v !== NULL)
-				{		
-					if ($escape === TRUE)
-					{
-						$v = ' '.$this->escape($v);
-					}
+				if ($v !== NULL AND $escape === TRUE)
+				{
+					$v = ' '.$this->escape($v);
 				}
+
 			}
 			else
 			{