diff --git a/python/test/unit/language/test_core.py b/python/test/unit/language/test_core.py
index 48794da8e2da..fd6234902b4c 100644
--- a/python/test/unit/language/test_core.py
+++ b/python/test/unit/language/test_core.py
@@ -3619,9 +3619,34 @@ def _kernel(in_ptr, out_ptr, in_size: tl.constexpr, out_size: tl.constexpr):
     torch.testing.assert_close(output, reference_out)
 
 
-# Testing masked loads with an intermate copy to shared memory run.
+@pytest.mark.interpreter
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("num_ctas", num_ctas_list)
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("mask_val", [True, False])
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("other_val", [0, 1])
+def test_masked_load_scalar(num_ctas, mask_val, other_val, device):
+    input_val = 4.0
+    size = 128
+    dtype = torch.float32
+    input = torch.full((size, ), input_val, dtype=dtype, device=device)
+    output = torch.zeros((size, ), dtype=dtype, device=device)
+
+    @triton.jit
+    def kernel(in_ptr, out_ptr, size: tl.constexpr, mask: tl.constexpr, other: tl.constexpr):
+        offsets = tl.arange(0, size)
+        x = tl.load(in_ptr + offsets, mask=mask, other=other)
+        tl.store(out_ptr + offsets, x)
 
+    kernel[(1, )](input, output, size, mask_val, other_val, num_ctas=num_ctas)
 
+    if mask_val:
+        reference_out = torch.full((size, ), input_val, dtype=dtype, device=device)
+    else:
+        reference_out = torch.full((size, ), other_val, dtype=dtype, device=device)
+
+    torch.testing.assert_close(output, reference_out)
+
+
+# Testing masked loads with an intermate copy to shared memory run.
 # FIXME: Shape too small for ldmatrix when num_ctas=4
 @pytest.mark.interpreter
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("dtype", [torch.bfloat16, torch.float16, torch.float32])
diff --git a/python/triton/language/semantic.py b/python/triton/language/semantic.py
index 1f4a3ec59bd2..83d4dfc8c409 100644
--- a/python/triton/language/semantic.py
+++ b/python/triton/language/semantic.py
@@ -944,7 +944,7 @@ def _canonicalize_boundary_check(boundary_check, block_shape):
 def _load_block_pointer(ptr, mask, other, boundary_check, padding, cache, eviction, is_volatile, builder):
     # Load by a block pointer: `pointer_type<block_type<>>`
     # Block pointer can not have `mask` and `other` arguments
-    if mask or other:
+    if mask is not None or other is not None:
         raise ValueError("`mask` and `other` arguments cannot be specified for loading block pointers")
 
     elt_ty = ptr.type.element_ty.element_ty
@@ -969,7 +969,7 @@ def _load_legacy(ptr, mask, other, boundary_check, padding, cache, eviction, is_
         raise ValueError(f"Unsupported ptr type {ptr.type.__repr__()} in `tl.load`")
 
     # Check `mask`, `other`, `boundary_check`, and `padding` arguments
-    if not mask and other:
+    if mask is None and other is not None:
         raise ValueError("`other` cannot be provided without `mask`")
     if padding or boundary_check:
         raise ValueError("`padding_option` or `boundary_check` argument is not supported for loading a tensor of"
@@ -1013,7 +1013,7 @@ def _load_legacy(ptr, mask, other, boundary_check, padding, cache, eviction, is_
         dst_ty = elt_ty
 
     # Build IR
-    if not mask:
+    if mask is None:
         return tl.tensor(builder.create_load(ptr.handle, cache, eviction, is_volatile), dst_ty)
     else:
         return tl.tensor(