diff --git a/smi_analysis/SMI_beamline.py b/smi_analysis/SMI_beamline.py
index 576f68a..2875cdd 100644
--- a/smi_analysis/SMI_beamline.py
+++ b/smi_analysis/SMI_beamline.py
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ def __init__(self,
         self.masks = []
         self.cake = []
         self.inpaints, self.mask_inpaints = [], []
-        self.img_st, self.mask_st = np.array([]), np.array([])
+        self.img_st, self.mask_st = [], []
         self.bs_kind = bs_kind
         self.scales = 1
 
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ def inpainting(self, **kwargs):
                                                                      )
 
     def caking(self, radial_range=None, azimuth_range=None, npt_rad=500, npt_azim=500):
-        if not(self.img_st.size):
+        if np.array_equal(self.img_st, []):
             self.stitching_data()
 
         if radial_range is None and 'Pilatus' in self.detector:
@@ -303,7 +303,7 @@ def radial_averaging(self, radial_range=None, azimuth_range=None, npt=2000):
                                                                     )
 
         elif self.geometry == 'Reflection':
-            if not(self.img_st.size):
+            if np.array_equal(self.img_st, []):
                 self.stitching_data()
             if radial_range is None and 'Pilatus' in self.detector:
                 radial_range = (0, self.qp[1])
@@ -352,7 +352,7 @@ def azimuthal_averaging(self, radial_range=None, azimuth_range=None, npt_rad=500
                                                                   )
 
     def horizontal_integration(self, q_per_range=None, q_par_range=None):
-        if not(self.img_st.size):
+        if np.array_equal(self.img_st, []):
             self.stitching_data()
 
         self.q_hor, self.I_hor = integrate1D.integrate_qpar(self.img_st,
@@ -363,7 +363,7 @@ def horizontal_integration(self, q_per_range=None, q_par_range=None):
                                                             )
 
     def vertical_integration(self, q_per_range=None, q_par_range=None):
-        if not(self.img_st.size):
+        if np.array_equal(self.img_st, []):
             self.stitching_data()
 
         self.q_ver, self.I_ver = integrate1D.integrate_qper(self.img_st,