         if (g11nWorkingInstance)
             return g11nWorkingInstance.compare(string1, string2);
 
-        if (!localeStyle)
+        if ((localeStyle === undefined) || (localeStyle === null))
         {
             fallbackLastOperationStatus
                                 = LastOperationStatus.LOCALE_UNDEFINED_ERROR;

     */
    override mx_internal function createWorkingInstance():void
    {
        if (!localeStyle)
        {
            fallbackLastOperationStatus
                                = LastOperationStatus.LOCALE_UNDEFINED_ERROR;

        if (g11nWorkingInstance)
            return g11nWorkingInstance.equals(string1, string2);

        if ((localeStyle === undefined) || (localeStyle === null))
        {
            fallbackLastOperationStatus
                                = LastOperationStatus.LOCALE_UNDEFINED_ERROR;
