diff --git a/CRM/Contact/BAO/Contact.php b/CRM/Contact/BAO/Contact.php
index b97aa37b1295..86bbf890b1d5 100644
--- a/CRM/Contact/BAO/Contact.php
+++ b/CRM/Contact/BAO/Contact.php
@@ -304,7 +304,7 @@ public static function &create(&$params, $fixAddress = TRUE, $invokeHooks = TRUE
       }
     }
 
-    if (array_key_exists('group', $params)) {
+    if (!empty($params['group'])) {
       $contactIds = [$params['contact_id']];
       foreach ($params['group'] as $groupId => $flag) {
         if ($flag == 1) {