diff --git a/tools/inventory.pl b/tools/inventory.pl
index 5c4fbeaea4..632968219d 100755
--- a/tools/inventory.pl
+++ b/tools/inventory.pl
@@ -121,10 +121,7 @@ for my $authvfield (@$statuses) {
 
 # if there's a list of not for loans types selected use it rather than
 # the full set.
-if ($staton->{'items.notforloan'}) {
-    my @l = @{$staton->{'items.notforloan'}};
-    @notforloans = @l if scalar @l > 0;
-}
+@notforloans = @{$staton->{'items.notforloan'}} if defined $staton->{'items.notforloan'} and scalar @{$staton->{'items.notforloan'}} > 0;
 
 my @class_sources = Koha::ClassSources->search({ used => 1 });
 my $pref_class = C4::Context->preference("DefaultClassificationSource");