diff --git a/src/utils/utils.py b/src/utils/utils.py
index 6e84bcb..1dd053d 100644
--- a/src/utils/utils.py
+++ b/src/utils/utils.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ def load(variables):
         try:
             res = environ[var]
             if var == "CHANNEL":
-                res = list(set(res.split(',')) - set([""])) # create a list for the channels and remove blank channels
+                res = list(set(res.split(',')) - {""}) # create a list for the channels and remove blank channels
             keys[var] = res
         except KeyError:
             print(f"Please set the environment variable {var} (.env file supported)")