diff --git a/resolvers/reaction.py b/resolvers/reaction.py
index 3c273df6..d94d42e5 100644
--- a/resolvers/reaction.py
+++ b/resolvers/reaction.py
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ def add_reaction_stat_columns(q):
 
     q = q.outerjoin(aliased_reaction, Reaction.id == aliased_reaction.reply_to).add_columns(
         func.sum(aliased_reaction.id).label("reacted_stat"),
-        func.sum(case((aliased_reaction.body.is_not(""), 1), else_=0)).label("commented_stat"),
+        func.sum(case((aliased_reaction.body != "", 1), else_=0)).label("commented_stat"),
         func.sum(
             case(
                 (aliased_reaction.kind == ReactionKind.AGREE, 1),
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ def is_published_author(session, author_id):
     return (
         session.query(Shout)
         .where(Shout.authors.contains(author_id))
-        .filter(and_(Shout.published_at.is_not(""), Shout.deleted_at.is_(None)))
+        .filter(and_(Shout.published_at !="", Shout.deleted_at.is_(None)))
         .count()
         > 0
     )
diff --git a/resolvers/reader.py b/resolvers/reader.py
index b30ec9a2..4ce1661a 100644
--- a/resolvers/reader.py
+++ b/resolvers/reader.py
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ async def load_shouts_feed(_, info, options):
                 )
                 .where(
                     and_(
-                        Shout.published_at.is_not(None),
+                        Shout.published_at != None,
                         Shout.deleted_at.is_(None),
                         Shout.id.in_(subquery),
                     )