diff --git a/django/contrib/redirects/middleware.py b/django/contrib/redirects/middleware.py
index 32f2760c45..8998c2ce3e 100644
--- a/django/contrib/redirects/middleware.py
+++ b/django/contrib/redirects/middleware.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ class RedirectFallbackMiddleware(object):
             except Redirect.DoesNotExist:
                 pass
         if r is not None:
-            if r == '':
+            if r.new_path == '':
                 return http.HttpResponseGone()
             return http.HttpResponsePermanentRedirect(r.new_path)