diff --git a/include/mapnik/ptree_helpers.hpp b/include/mapnik/ptree_helpers.hpp
index 51708d0f7..3156369f2 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/ptree_helpers.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/ptree_helpers.hpp
@@ -437,6 +437,12 @@ inline boost::optional<color> get_optional(boost::property_tree::ptree const& no
     return result;
 }
 
+static inline bool has_child(boost::property_tree::ptree const& node, std::string const& name)
+{
+    boost::optional<std::string> str = node.get_optional<std::string>(name);
+    return str;
+}
+
 } // end of namespace mapnik
 
 #endif // MAPNIK_PTREE_HELPERS_HPP
diff --git a/src/load_map.cpp b/src/load_map.cpp
index a222e12de..ddb076e80 100644
--- a/src/load_map.cpp
+++ b/src/load_map.cpp
@@ -841,16 +841,12 @@ void map_parser::parse_rule( feature_type_style & style, ptree const & r )
             rule.set_filter(parse_expr(*filter_expr));
         }
 
-        optional<std::string> else_filter =
-            get_opt_child<std::string>(r, "ElseFilter");
-        if (else_filter)
+        if (has_child(r, "ElseFilter"))
         {
             rule.set_else(true);
         }
 
-        optional<std::string> also_filter =
-            get_opt_child<std::string>(r, "AlsoFilter");
-        if (also_filter)
+        if (has_child(r, "AlsoFilter"))
         {
             rule.set_also(true);
         }