diff --git a/picard/file.py b/picard/file.py
index 79a4a1f40..92990c153 100644
--- a/picard/file.py
+++ b/picard/file.py
@@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ class File(QtCore.QObject, Item):
         images = []
         if config.setting["caa_save_single_front_image"]:
             images = metadata.get_single_front_image()
-        if images == []:
+        if not images:
             images = metadata.images
         for image in images:
             image.save(dirname, metadata, counters)
diff --git a/picard/metadata.py b/picard/metadata.py
index 5afcb27c7..18464de98 100644
--- a/picard/metadata.py
+++ b/picard/metadata.py
@@ -60,12 +60,12 @@ class Metadata(dict):
             # FIXME : rename option at some point
             # Embed only ONE front image
             front_image = self.get_single_front_image(images)
-            if front_image != []:
+            if front_image:
                 return front_image
         return images
 
-    def get_single_front_image(self, images=[]):
-        if images == []:
+    def get_single_front_image(self, images=None):
+        if not images:
             images = self.images
         for img in images:
             if img.is_front_image():