diff --git a/gunicorn/arbiter.py b/gunicorn/arbiter.py
index 6217406f..e1c9551e 100644
--- a/gunicorn/arbiter.py
+++ b/gunicorn/arbiter.py
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ class Arbiter(object):
             while True:
                 self.maybe_promote_master()
 
-                sig = self.SIG_QUEUE.pop(0, None)
+                sig = self.SIG_QUEUE.pop(0) if self.SIG_QUEUE else None
                 if sig is None:
                     self.sleep()
                     self.murder_workers()