diff --git a/validate-cloud.groovy b/validate-cloud.groovy
index 7d3b2e2..503b375 100644
--- a/validate-cloud.groovy
+++ b/validate-cloud.groovy
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@
 
 def pepperEnv = "pepperEnv"
 def artifacts_dir = 'validation_artifacts/'
-if (env.JOB_TIMEOUT == ''){
+if (!env.JOB_TIMEOUT){
     job_timeout = 12
 } else {
     job_timeout = env.JOB_TIMEOUT.toInteger()