diff --git a/database.cc b/database.cc
index 040c633415..e3b5c1210e 100644
--- a/database.cc
+++ b/database.cc
@@ -352,7 +352,7 @@ void column_family::add_memtable() {
 void
 column_family::seal_active_memtable() {
     auto old = _memtables->back();
-    if (old->all_partitions().empty()) {
+    if (old->empty()) {
         return;
     }
     add_memtable();
diff --git a/memtable.hh b/memtable.hh
index eb1c3bcd6e..2af7fefb75 100644
--- a/memtable.hh
+++ b/memtable.hh
@@ -30,4 +30,5 @@ public:
     void apply(const mutation& m);
     void apply(const frozen_mutation& m);
     const partitions_type& all_partitions() const;
+    bool empty() const { return partitions.empty(); }
 };