diff --git a/src/wp-includes/comment-template.php b/src/wp-includes/comment-template.php
index 67a2095c20..1377f3cc05 100644
--- a/src/wp-includes/comment-template.php
+++ b/src/wp-includes/comment-template.php
@@ -1160,7 +1160,7 @@ function comments_template( $file = '/comments.php', $separate_comments = false
 
 	if ( $user_ID ) {
 		$comment_args['include_unapproved'] = array( $user_ID );
-	} else if ( ! empty( $comment_author ) ) {
+	} else if ( ! empty( $comment_author_email ) ) {
 		$comment_args['include_unapproved'] = array( $comment_author_email );
 	}