diff --git a/src/wolfgame.py b/src/wolfgame.py
index b7db27d..7a3fadc 100644
--- a/src/wolfgame.py
+++ b/src/wolfgame.py
@@ -3063,9 +3063,9 @@ def del_player(cli, nick, forced_death=False, devoice=True, end_game=True, death
                     var.START_VOTES.discard(nick)
 
                     # Cancel the start vote timer if there are no votes left
-                    if len(var.START_VOTES) < 1 and 'start_votes' in var.TIMERS:
-                        var.TIMERS['start_votes'][0].cancel()
-                        del var.TIMERS['start_votes']
+                    if not var.START_VOTES and "start_votes" in var.TIMERS:
+                        var.TIMERS["start_votes"][0].cancel()
+                        del var.TIMERS["start_votes"]
 
                 # Died during the joining process as a person
                 if var.AUTO_TOGGLE_MODES and nick in var.USERS and var.USERS[nick]["moded"]: