diff --git a/events/models/profiles.py b/events/models/profiles.py
index 7127dfb..bb5aee5 100644
--- a/events/models/profiles.py
+++ b/events/models/profiles.py
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ class UserProfile(models.Model):
             return "Unknown Profile"
 
     def avatar_url(self):
-        if self.avatar is None or self.avatar == '':
+        if self.avatar is None or self.avatar.name is None:
             return settings.STATIC_URL + 'img/avatar_placeholder.png'
         elif self.avatar.name.startswith('http'):
             return self.avatar.name