diff --git a/pagure/lib/__init__.py b/pagure/lib/__init__.py
index 81600d5..f9dc342 100644
--- a/pagure/lib/__init__.py
+++ b/pagure/lib/__init__.py
@@ -1445,12 +1445,12 @@ def new_issue(session, repo, title, content, user, ticketfolder, issue_id=None,
     user_obj = get_user(session, user)
 
     # Only store the priority if there is one in the project
-    priorities = repo.priorities
+    priorities = repo.priorities or []
     try:
         priority = int(priority)
     except (ValueError, TypeError):
         priority = None
-    if priorities and priority and str(priority) not in priorities:
+    if priority is not None and str(priority) not in priorities:
         raise pagure.exceptions.PagureException(
             'You are trying to create an issue with a priority that does '
             'not exist in the project.')