diff --git a/root/portal/block/announcements.php b/root/portal/block/announcements.php
index e1298b76..61fc4bd1 100644
--- a/root/portal/block/announcements.php
+++ b/root/portal/block/announcements.php
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ else
 }
 
 $topic_icons = false;
-if( isset($fetch_news['topic_icons']) )
+if( !empty($fetch_news['topic_icons']) )
 {
 	$topic_icons = true;
 }
diff --git a/root/portal/block/news.php b/root/portal/block/news.php
index bec15f5a..2430bc37 100644
--- a/root/portal/block/news.php
+++ b/root/portal/block/news.php
@@ -289,7 +289,7 @@ else
 }
 
 $topic_icons = false;
-if( isset($fetch_news['topic_icons']) )
+if( !empty($fetch_news['topic_icons']) )
 {
 	$topic_icons = true;
 }