diff --git a/ndbioimage/readers/cziread.py b/ndbioimage/readers/cziread.py
index 72ea635..2e5ad22 100644
--- a/ndbioimage/readers/cziread.py
+++ b/ndbioimage/readers/cziread.py
@@ -354,7 +354,7 @@ class Reader(AbstractReader, ABC):
                 model.Plane(the_c=c, the_z=z, the_t=t, delta_t=delta_ts[t], exposure_time=exposure_times[c]))
 
         idx = 0
-        for layer in metadata.find("Layers") or []:
+        for layer in [] if (ml := metadata.find("Layers")) is None else ml:
             rectangle = layer.find("Elements").find("Rectangle")
             if rectangle is not None:
                 geometry = rectangle.find("Geometry")
diff --git a/pyproject.toml b/pyproject.toml
index c7f9a64..b8d971b 100644
--- a/pyproject.toml
+++ b/pyproject.toml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [tool.poetry]
 name = "ndbioimage"
-version = "2024.2.0"
+version = "2024.3.0"
 description = "Bio image reading, metadata and some affine registration."
 authors = ["W. Pomp <w.pomp@nki.nl>"]
 license = "GPLv3"