diff --git a/src/lib/helpers/notifications.ts b/src/lib/helpers/notifications.ts
index bd67a8ac5..706f67ecd 100644
--- a/src/lib/helpers/notifications.ts
+++ b/src/lib/helpers/notifications.ts
@@ -19,12 +19,12 @@ const userPreferences = () => get(user)?.prefs;
 const notificationPrefs = (): Record<string, NotificationPrefItem> => {
     const prefs = userPreferences();
 
-    if (prefs === null) {
+    // due to php backend, empty object can be returnd as an empty array
+    if (!prefs?.notificationPrefs || Array.isArray(prefs.notificationPrefs)) {
         return {};
     }
 
-    // for some reason, the prefs become array as default or on all clear. let's reset.
-    return Array.isArray(prefs.notificationPrefs) ? {} : prefs.notificationPrefs || {};
+    return prefs.notificationPrefs;
 };
 
 function updateNotificationPrefs(parsedPrefs: Record<string, NotificationPrefItem>) {