diff --git a/packages/core/api/database.js b/packages/core/api/database.js
index c10d1ba80..ea43173b0 100644
--- a/packages/core/api/database.js
+++ b/packages/core/api/database.js
@@ -15,8 +15,7 @@ class Database {
    */
   async getNotes() {
     //update our cache
-    this.notes = await this.storage.read(KEYS.notes);
-    if (!this.notes) this.notes = {};
+    this.notes = (await this.storage.read(KEYS.notes)) || {};
     return Object.values(this.notes);
   }