diff --git a/dcm2bids/sidecar.py b/dcm2bids/sidecar.py
index 0cb7ba07..294f1474 100644
--- a/dcm2bids/sidecar.py
+++ b/dcm2bids/sidecar.py
@@ -396,8 +396,10 @@ def compare_float(name, pattern):
 
             elif isinstance(name, list):
                 result.append(compare_list(name, pattern))
-            else:
+            elif name:
                 result.append(compare(name, pattern))
+            else:
+                result.append(False)
 
         return all(result)