diff --git a/lib/internal/crypto/sig.js b/lib/internal/crypto/sig.js
index d5c4c46192cd17..f6b9d9d9a994e7 100644
--- a/lib/internal/crypto/sig.js
+++ b/lib/internal/crypto/sig.js
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ function signOneShot(algorithm, data, key, callback) {
   let keyData;
   if (isKeyObject(key) || isCryptoKey(key)) {
     ({ data: keyData } = preparePrivateKey(key));
-  } else if (key != null && (isKeyObject(key.key) || isCryptoKey(key.key))) {
+  } else if (isKeyObject(key.key) || isCryptoKey(key.key)) {
     ({ data: keyData } = preparePrivateKey(key.key));
   } else {
     keyData = createPrivateKey(key)[kHandle];