diff --git a/conda_build/build.py b/conda_build/build.py
index 1d66cf114f..4268aaef65 100644
--- a/conda_build/build.py
+++ b/conda_build/build.py
@@ -4099,7 +4099,7 @@ def handle_anaconda_upload(paths, config):
         print(no_upload_message)
         return
 
-    if anaconda is None:
+    if not anaconda:
         print(no_upload_message)
         sys.exit(
             "Error: cannot locate anaconda command (required for upload)\n"
diff --git a/news/5050-missing-anaconda-client-bugfix b/news/5050-missing-anaconda-client-bugfix
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..99df06709d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/news/5050-missing-anaconda-client-bugfix
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+### Enhancements
+
+* <news item>
+
+### Bug fixes
+
+* Fixes the check for a missing anaconda-client so a useful error message is shown
+
+### Deprecations
+
+* <news item>
+
+### Docs
+
+* <news item>
+
+### Other
+
+* <news item>