diff --git a/src/ORM/Rule/ExistsIn.php b/src/ORM/Rule/ExistsIn.php
index ec96838a86f..7b40f49009a 100644
--- a/src/ORM/Rule/ExistsIn.php
+++ b/src/ORM/Rule/ExistsIn.php
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ public function __invoke(EntityInterface $entity, array $options)
     {
         if (is_string($this->_repository)) {
             $repository = $options['repository']->association($this->_repository);
-            if (empty($repository)) {
+            if (!$repository) {
                 throw new RuntimeException(sprintf(
                     "ExistsIn rule for '%s' is invalid. The '%s' association is not defined.",
                     implode(', ', $this->_fields),