diff --git a/compat/winansi.c b/compat/winansi.c
index 3abe8dd5a2..f83610f684 100644
--- a/compat/winansi.c
+++ b/compat/winansi.c
@@ -644,7 +644,7 @@ void winansi_init(void)
 
 	/* start console spool thread on the pipe's read end */
 	hthread = CreateThread(NULL, 0, console_thread, NULL, 0, NULL);
-	if (hthread == INVALID_HANDLE_VALUE)
+	if (!hthread)
 		die_lasterr("CreateThread(console_thread) failed");
 
 	/* schedule cleanup routine */