diff --git a/sopel/bot.py b/sopel/bot.py
index ad08708a55..8f7632b5b6 100644
--- a/sopel/bot.py
+++ b/sopel/bot.py
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ def __init__(self, config, daemon=False):
         # Default to empty
         if not self.config.core.nick_blocks:
             self.config.core.nick_blocks = []
-        if not self.config.core.nick_blocks:
+        if not self.config.core.host_blocks:
             self.config.core.host_blocks = []
         self.setup()