diff --git a/src/applications/repository/management/PhabricatorRepositoryManagementMaintenanceWorkflow.php b/src/applications/repository/management/PhabricatorRepositoryManagementMaintenanceWorkflow.php
--- a/src/applications/repository/management/PhabricatorRepositoryManagementMaintenanceWorkflow.php
+++ b/src/applications/repository/management/PhabricatorRepositoryManagementMaintenanceWorkflow.php
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@
     }
 
     $message = $args->getArg('start');
-    $is_start = (bool)strlen($message);
+    $is_start = isset($message);
     $is_stop = $args->getArg('stop');
 
     if (!$is_start && !$is_stop) {