diff --git a/src/applications/repository/xaction/PhabricatorRepositoryMaintenanceTransaction.php b/src/applications/repository/xaction/PhabricatorRepositoryMaintenanceTransaction.php
--- a/src/applications/repository/xaction/PhabricatorRepositoryMaintenanceTransaction.php
+++ b/src/applications/repository/xaction/PhabricatorRepositoryMaintenanceTransaction.php
@@ -25,11 +25,11 @@
     $old = $this->getOldValue();
     $new = $this->getNewValue();
 
-    if (strlen($old) && !strlen($new)) {
+    if (phutil_nonempty_string($old) && !phutil_nonempty_string($new)) {
       return pht(
         '%s took this repository out of maintenance mode.',
         $this->renderAuthor());
-    } else if (!strlen($old) && strlen($new)) {
+    } else if (!phutil_nonempty_string($old) && phutil_nonempty_string($new)) {
       return pht(
         '%s put this repository into maintenance mode.',
         $this->renderAuthor());