diff --git a/tests/integration/modules/pkg.py b/tests/integration/modules/pkg.py
index 1800852e784b..2a2434eec6d2 100644
--- a/tests/integration/modules/pkg.py
+++ b/tests/integration/modules/pkg.py
@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ def test_pkg_upgrade_has_pending_upgrades(self):
             self.assertIn('vim', ret['changes'])
         else:
             ret = self.run_function('pkg.list_updates')
-            if ret == '':
+            if ret == '' or ret == {}:
                 self.skipTest('No updates available for this machine.  Skipping pkg.upgrade test.')
             else:
                 ret = self.run_function(func)