diff --git a/confluent_server/confluent/plugins/shell/ssh.py b/confluent_server/confluent/plugins/shell/ssh.py
index e97784eb..06da4ff7 100644
--- a/confluent_server/confluent/plugins/shell/ssh.py
+++ b/confluent_server/confluent/plugins/shell/ssh.py
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ class SshShell(conapi.Console):
     def recvdata(self):
         while self.connected:
             pendingdata = self.shell.recv(8192)
-            if pendingdata == '':
+            if not pendingdata:
                 self.datacallback(conapi.ConsoleEvent.Disconnect)
                 return
             self.datacallback(pendingdata)