diff --git a/aiida_quantumespresso/workflows/pw/band_structure.py b/aiida_quantumespresso/workflows/pw/band_structure.py
index edd8d9ada..8d1491552 100644
--- a/aiida_quantumespresso/workflows/pw/band_structure.py
+++ b/aiida_quantumespresso/workflows/pw/band_structure.py
@@ -15,9 +15,6 @@
 
 def _validate_protocol(protocol_dict):
     """ Check that the protocol is one for which we have a definition. """
-    if protocol_dict == ():
-        # Work around this issue in plumpy: https://github.com/aiidateam/plumpy/issues/102
-        return
     try:
         protocol_name = protocol_dict['name']
     except KeyError as e: