diff --git a/src/ifctester/ifctester/ids.py b/src/ifctester/ifctester/ids.py
index c3ebfed16c..2993732b40 100644
--- a/src/ifctester/ifctester/ids.py
+++ b/src/ifctester/ifctester/ids.py
@@ -173,8 +173,8 @@ class Specification:
         self.minOccurs = ids_dict["@minOccurs"]
         self.maxOccurs = ids_dict["@maxOccurs"]
         self.ifcVersion = ids_dict["@ifcVersion"]
-        self.applicability = self.parse_clause(ids_dict["applicability"]) if "applicability" in ids_dict else []
-        self.requirements = self.parse_clause(ids_dict["requirements"]) if "requirements" in ids_dict else []
+        self.applicability = self.parse_clause(ids_dict["applicability"]) if ids_dict.get("applicability") is not None else []
+        self.requirements = self.parse_clause(ids_dict["requirements"]) if ids_dict.get("requirements") is not None else []
         return self
 
     def parse_clause(self, clause):