diff --git a/lib/gears/matcher.lua b/lib/gears/matcher.lua
index 636eb7aa..c7a66ca2 100644
--- a/lib/gears/matcher.lua
+++ b/lib/gears/matcher.lua
@@ -80,10 +80,10 @@ local matcher = {}
 
 local function default_matcher(a, b)
     local result = a == b
-    if result then return result end
+    if result then return true end
     if type(a) == "string" and type(b) == "string" then
       result = a:match(b)
-      if result == '' then result = nil end
+      if result == '' then return false end
     end
     return result
 end