diff --git a/bigbluebutton-web/grails-app/controllers/org/bigbluebutton/web/controllers/ApiController.groovy b/bigbluebutton-web/grails-app/controllers/org/bigbluebutton/web/controllers/ApiController.groovy
index 270c6bb86a..8e49638816 100755
--- a/bigbluebutton-web/grails-app/controllers/org/bigbluebutton/web/controllers/ApiController.groovy
+++ b/bigbluebutton-web/grails-app/controllers/org/bigbluebutton/web/controllers/ApiController.groovy
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ class ApiController {
     }
 
     if(isBreakoutRoom) {
-      if(!params.parentMeetingID) {
+      if(StringUtils.isEmpty(params.parentMeetingID)) {
         invalid("parentMeetingIDMissing", "No parent meeting ID was provided for the breakout room")
         return
       }