diff --git a/main.scm b/main.scm
index 9cfe4ed..39d0a3c 100755
--- a/main.scm
+++ b/main.scm
@@ -161,9 +161,9 @@ string-block
     (exit status)))
 
 (define (main args)
-  (let-optionals args ((html-repo-path '()))
+  (let-optionals args ((html-repo-path ""))
 
-    (when (null? html-repo-path)
+    (when (equal? html-repo-path "")
       (bail 1 "please specify a destination directory for html files"))
 
     (unless (in-git-directory?)