diff --git a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_pdf.py b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_pdf.py
index 7e3e09f034f5..fcfaaeede9b6 100644
--- a/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_pdf.py
+++ b/lib/matplotlib/backends/backend_pdf.py
@@ -2470,7 +2470,7 @@ def fill(self, *args):
         An optional argument can be used to specify an alternative
         _fillcolor, as needed by RendererPdf.draw_markers.
         """
-        if len(args):
+        if args:
             _fillcolor = args[0]
         else:
             _fillcolor = self._fillcolor