diff --git a/patroni/validator.py b/patroni/validator.py
index a8ada1f5..326997b4 100644
--- a/patroni/validator.py
+++ b/patroni/validator.py
@@ -793,7 +793,7 @@ class IntValidator(object):
         :param value: value to be checked against the rules defined for this :class:`IntValidator` instance.
         :returns: ``True`` if *value* is valid and within the expected range.
         """
-        value = parse_int(value, self.base_unit) or ""
+        value = parse_int(value, self.base_unit)
         ret = isinstance(value, int)\
             and (self.min is None or value >= self.min)\
             and (self.max is None or value <= self.max)