diff --git a/coin.rb b/coin.rb
index 524febe..8b5d237 100644
--- a/coin.rb
+++ b/coin.rb
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ def get_coin(event, amt = 1)
   # update score
   author = event.methods.include?(:author) ? event.author : event.user
 
-  if $coin_state_active
+  if $coin_state_active != 0
     if author.bot_account?
       event.respond "Bots don't get coins!"
     end