diff --git a/code/model/filters/MultiFieldPartialMatchFilter.php b/code/model/filters/MultiFieldPartialMatchFilter.php
index a1f270773..db42b4c9d 100644
--- a/code/model/filters/MultiFieldPartialMatchFilter.php
+++ b/code/model/filters/MultiFieldPartialMatchFilter.php
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ function ($v) {
             }
         );
 
-        if (count($this->subfilters) > 0) {
+        if (is_array($this->subfilters)) {
             foreach ($this->subfilters as $f) {
                 $f->setModifiers($this->subfilterModifiers);
             }
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ public function setValue($value)
 
         parent::setValue($value);
 
-        if (count($this->subfilters) > 0) {
+        if (is_array($this->subfilters)) {
             foreach ($this->subfilters as $f) {
                 $f->setValue($value);
             }
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ public function apply(DataQuery $query)
         $orGroup = $query->disjunctiveGroup();
         $orGroup = parent::apply($orGroup);
 
-        if (count($this->subfilters) > 0) {
+        if (is_array($this->subfilters)) {
             foreach ($this->subfilters as $f) {
                 $orGroup = $f->apply($orGroup);
             }