diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index 46c326df..1429712e 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@
     "geojson": "^0.2.0",
     "geojson-extent": "^0.3.1",
     "geopipes-elasticsearch-backend": "0.0.8",
+    "is-object": "^1.0.1",
     "pelias-esclient": "0.0.25",
     "toobusy": "^0.2.4"
   },
diff --git a/sanitiser/_layers.js b/sanitiser/_layers.js
index c12d1711..b1634a46 100644
--- a/sanitiser/_layers.js
+++ b/sanitiser/_layers.js
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
-var indeces = require('../query/indeces');
+
+var isObject = require('is-object'),
+    indeces = require('../query/indeces');
 
 // validate inputs, convert types and apply defaults
 function sanitize( req ){
@@ -7,7 +9,7 @@ function sanitize( req ){
   var params= req.query;
 
   // ensure the input params are a valid object
-  if( Object.prototype.toString.call( params ) !== '[object Object]' ){
+  if( !isObject( params ) ){
     params = {};
   }