diff --git a/src/main/java/org/scijava/ui/swing/widget/SwingMessageWidget.java b/src/main/java/org/scijava/ui/swing/widget/SwingMessageWidget.java
index 343df71..c9fca1c 100644
--- a/src/main/java/org/scijava/ui/swing/widget/SwingMessageWidget.java
+++ b/src/main/java/org/scijava/ui/swing/widget/SwingMessageWidget.java
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ public String getValue() {
 	@Override
 	public boolean isLabeled() {
 		final String l = get().getItem().getLabel();
-		return l == null || l.isEmpty();
+		return l != null && !l.isEmpty();
 	}
 
 	@Override