diff --git a/lib/nebulex/adapters/local/generation.ex b/lib/nebulex/adapters/local/generation.ex
index c3ba1b8b..1a7cf822 100644
--- a/lib/nebulex/adapters/local/generation.ex
+++ b/lib/nebulex/adapters/local/generation.ex
@@ -498,7 +498,7 @@ defmodule Nebulex.Adapters.Local.Generation do
 
   defp start_timer(time, ref \\ nil, event \\ :heartbeat)
 
-  defp start_timer(:nil, _, _), do: nil
+  defp start_timer(nil, _, _), do: nil
 
   defp start_timer(time, ref, event) do
     _ = if ref, do: Process.cancel_timer(ref)