diff --git a/aider/coders/base_coder.py b/aider/coders/base_coder.py
index 8b40ff9dc..0987c9a84 100755
--- a/aider/coders/base_coder.py
+++ b/aider/coders/base_coder.py
@@ -189,7 +189,7 @@ class Coder:
             self.io.tool_output(f"Added {fname} to the chat.")
 
         # validate the functions jsonschema
-        if hasattr(self, "functions"):
+        if self.functions:
             for function in self.functions:
                 Draft7Validator.check_schema(function)