diff --git a/citydb-operation/src/main/java/org/citydb/operation/exporter/hierarchy/HierarchyBuilder.java b/citydb-operation/src/main/java/org/citydb/operation/exporter/hierarchy/HierarchyBuilder.java
index bcc8b270..e9f6522a 100644
--- a/citydb-operation/src/main/java/org/citydb/operation/exporter/hierarchy/HierarchyBuilder.java
+++ b/citydb-operation/src/main/java/org/citydb/operation/exporter/hierarchy/HierarchyBuilder.java
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ public HierarchyBuilder initialize(ResultSet rs) throws ExportException, SQLExce
             }
         }
 
-        if (exportAppearances && !appearanceIds.isEmpty()) {
+        if (exportAppearances) {
             tableHelper.getOrCreateExporter(AppearanceExporter.class)
                     .doExport(appearanceIds, implicitGeometryIds)
                     .forEach(hierarchy::addAppearance);