diff --git a/fastboot/fastboot.cpp b/fastboot/fastboot.cpp
index 7abc936..46d1d36 100644
--- a/fastboot/fastboot.cpp
+++ b/fastboot/fastboot.cpp
@@ -1229,7 +1229,7 @@
 static void CancelSnapshotIfNeeded() {
     std::string merge_status = "none";
     if (fb->GetVar(FB_VAR_SNAPSHOT_UPDATE_STATUS, &merge_status) == fastboot::SUCCESS &&
-        merge_status != "none") {
+        !merge_status.empty() && merge_status != "none") {
         fb->SnapshotUpdateCommand("cancel");
     }
 }