diff --git a/backend/src/controllers/themes.ts b/backend/src/controllers/themes.ts
index f516d840..e772087a 100644
--- a/backend/src/controllers/themes.ts
+++ b/backend/src/controllers/themes.ts
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ interface Translations {
 }
 
 export function getThemesHandler(req: Request, res: Response): void {
-    const language = (req.query.language as string).toLowerCase() || 'nl';
+    const language = (req.query.language as string || 'nl').toLowerCase();
     const translations = loadTranslations<Translations>(language);
     const themeList = themes.map((theme) => ({
         key: theme.title,