diff --git a/cscope.py b/cscope.py
index 2005c5a..abd47f7 100644
--- a/cscope.py
+++ b/cscope.py
@@ -173,8 +173,8 @@ def __init__(self, view):
         settings = get_settings()
 
     def update_database(self, filename):
-        if get_setting("database_location") != "":
-            self.database = get_setting("database_location")
+        if get_setting("database_location", "") != "":
+            self.database = get_setting("database_location", "")
             self.root = os.path.dirname(self.database)
         else:
             cdir = os.path.dirname(filename)