diff --git a/projectboard/src/main/java/io/agileintelligence/projectboard/service/ProjectTaskService.java b/projectboard/src/main/java/io/agileintelligence/projectboard/service/ProjectTaskService.java
index 88685dd..c54232b 100644
--- a/projectboard/src/main/java/io/agileintelligence/projectboard/service/ProjectTaskService.java
+++ b/projectboard/src/main/java/io/agileintelligence/projectboard/service/ProjectTaskService.java
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ public class ProjectTaskService {
 
     public ProjectTask saveOrUpdateProjectTask(ProjectTask projectTask){
 
-        if(projectTask.getStatus()==null || projectTask.getStatus()==""){
+        if(projectTask.getStatus()==null || projectTask.getStatus().equals("")){
             projectTask.setStatus("TO_DO");
         }