diff --git a/pure.zsh b/pure.zsh
index 61d19d2..d917aff 100644
--- a/pure.zsh
+++ b/pure.zsh
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ prompt_pure_precmd() {
 	print -P $prompt_pure_preprompt
 
 	# check async if there is anything to pull
-	[[ -z $PURE_GIT_PULL || $PURE_GIT_PULL == true ]] && {
+	(( ${PURE_GIT_PULL:-1} )) && {
 		# check if we're in a git repo
 		command git rev-parse --is-inside-work-tree &>/dev/null &&
 		# check check if there is anything to pull
diff --git a/readme.md b/readme.md
index eea9a3d..ae17c6e 100644
--- a/readme.md
+++ b/readme.md
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ The max execution time of a process before its run time is shown when it exits.
 
 ### `PURE_GIT_PULL`
 
-Set `PURE_GIT_PULL=false` to prevent Pure from checking whether the current Git remote has been updated.
+Set `PURE_GIT_PULL=0` to prevent Pure from checking whether the current Git remote has been updated.
 
 ## Example