diff --git a/scripts/starter.sh b/scripts/starter.sh
index 9813e22..96a94fc 100755
--- a/scripts/starter.sh
+++ b/scripts/starter.sh
@@ -268,7 +268,7 @@ if [[ ! -z $RELEASE ]]; then
     fi
 fi
 
-if [[ ! -z $VALIDATE ]]; then
+if [[ $VALIDATE = true ]]; then
     cli_args=$(cat /etc/default/ghost)
     if prompt "[?] turn on validator mode?"; then
         if [[ $cli_args == *"--validator"* ]]; then