diff --git a/osm_nbi/descriptor_topics.py b/osm_nbi/descriptor_topics.py
index ca10c42..7808597 100644
--- a/osm_nbi/descriptor_topics.py
+++ b/osm_nbi/descriptor_topics.py
@@ -676,7 +676,7 @@
         # to preserve current expected behaviour
         if "userDefinedData" in indata:
             data = indata.pop("userDefinedData")
-            if type(data) == dict:
+            if isinstance(data, dict):
                 indata["_admin"]["userDefinedData"] = data
             else:
                 raise EngineException(
@@ -1505,7 +1505,7 @@
         # to preserve current expected behaviour
         if "userDefinedData" in indata:
             data = indata.pop("userDefinedData")
-            if type(data) == dict:
+            if isinstance(data, dict):
                 indata["_admin"]["userDefinedData"] = data
             else:
                 raise EngineException(