diff --git a/multiarea_model/multiarea_helpers.py b/multiarea_model/multiarea_helpers.py
index 7bf2fe3a5738d49ae07df0cc8325ef48aadf6b60..c025d21760968ed2ec4738c6b6b291514bddd06d 100644
--- a/multiarea_model/multiarea_helpers.py
+++ b/multiarea_model/multiarea_helpers.py
@@ -229,7 +229,7 @@ def matrix_to_dict(m, area_list, structure, external=None):
             x = x.reshape((8, 8))
         for i, pop in enumerate(population_list):
             for j, pop2 in enumerate(population_list):
-                if x[i][j] < 1e-20:
+                if np.isclose(0., x[i][j]):
                     x[i][j] = 0.
                 dic[area][pop][area2][pop2] = x[i][j]
     if external is not None: