diff --git a/src/routes/profile.js b/src/routes/profile.js
index fac04e612..1491618c4 100644
--- a/src/routes/profile.js
+++ b/src/routes/profile.js
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ async function setLanguage(req, res, next) {
     assert.strictEqual(typeof req.user, 'object');
     assert.strictEqual(typeof req.body, 'object');
 
-    if ('language' in req.body && typeof req.body.language !== 'string') return next(new HttpError(400, 'language must be string'));
+    if (typeof req.body.language !== 'string') return next(new HttpError(400, 'language must be string'));
 
     const [error] = await safe(users.update(req.user, { language: req.body.language }, AuditSource.fromRequest(req)));
     if (error) return next(BoxError.toHttpError(error));