diff --git a/sedr/edreq12.py b/sedr/edreq12.py
index 0fd6be8..4b841bf 100644
--- a/sedr/edreq12.py
+++ b/sedr/edreq12.py
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ def requrementA5_2(jsondata: dict) -> tuple[bool, str]:
 
     extent = None
     extent = util.parse_spatial_bbox(jsondata)
-    if extent is None or len(extent) > 1 or not isinstance(extent, list):
+    if extent == [] or len(extent) > 1 or not isinstance(extent, list):
         return (
             False,
             f"Extent→spatial→bbox should be a list of bboxes with exactly "
diff --git a/sedr/util.py b/sedr/util.py
index 1435e44..b8730d3 100644
--- a/sedr/util.py
+++ b/sedr/util.py
@@ -175,4 +175,4 @@ def parse_spatial_bbox(jsondata: dict) -> list:
     try:
         return jsondata["extent"]["spatial"]["bbox"]
     except (AttributeError, KeyError) as err:
-        return None
+        return []