diff --git a/dask_glm/utils.py b/dask_glm/utils.py
index 88a4a14..2d93cd1 100644
--- a/dask_glm/utils.py
+++ b/dask_glm/utils.py
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ def normalize_inputs(X, y, *args, **kwargs):
 
 
 def zeros(shape, arr=None, **kwargs):
-    if arr:
+    if arr is not None and arr.size > 0:
         return np.zeros_like(arr, shape=shape, **kwargs)
     else:
         return np.zeros(shape=shape, **kwargs)