diff --git a/src/ScalarMessaging.ts b/src/ScalarMessaging.ts
index 8db6a17422..b110aef031 100644
--- a/src/ScalarMessaging.ts
+++ b/src/ScalarMessaging.ts
@@ -473,10 +473,7 @@ async function setBotPower(
         // If the PL is equal to or greater than the requested PL, ignore.
         if (ignoreIfGreater === true) {
             // As per https://matrix.org/docs/spec/client_server/r0.6.0#m-room-power-levels
-            const currentPl = (
-                powerLevels.content.users && powerLevels.content.users[userId]
-            ) || powerLevels.content.users_default || 0;
-
+            const currentPl = powerLevels.users?.[userId] ?? powerLevels.users_default ?? 0;
             if (currentPl >= level) {
                 return sendResponse(event, {
                     success: true,