diff --git a/kitty/shaders.py b/kitty/shaders.py
index 06b9d6cd8..c404869a5 100644
--- a/kitty/shaders.py
+++ b/kitty/shaders.py
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ class Sprites:
 
     def render_cell(self, text, bold, italic, is_second):
         first, second = render_cell(text, bold, italic)
-        ans = (second or first) if is_second else first
+        ans = second if is_second else first
         return ans or render_cell()[0]
 
     def render_dirty_cells(self):