diff --git a/dbtemplates/loader.py b/dbtemplates/loader.py
index a467305..118de33 100644
--- a/dbtemplates/loader.py
+++ b/dbtemplates/loader.py
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ class Loader(BaseLoader):
         except (Template.MultipleObjectsReturned, Template.DoesNotExist):
             try:
                 return self.load_and_store_template(template_name, cache_key,
-                                                    site, sites__in=[])
+                                                    site, sites__isnull=True)
             except (Template.MultipleObjectsReturned, Template.DoesNotExist):
                 pass