diff --git a/src/calibre/devices/kobo/driver.py b/src/calibre/devices/kobo/driver.py
index 3eeec567da..f3e3e4f3fe 100644
--- a/src/calibre/devices/kobo/driver.py
+++ b/src/calibre/devices/kobo/driver.py
@@ -3086,10 +3086,7 @@ class KOBOTOUCH(KOBO):
         if not self.supports_bookshelves:
             return bookshelves
 
-        if self.dbversion >= 188:
-            query = 'SELECT Name FROM Shelf WHERE _IsDeleted = false'
-        else:
-            query = 'SELECT Name FROM Shelf WHERE _IsDeleted = "false"'
+        query = "SELECT Name FROM Shelf WHERE _IsDeleted = 'false'"
 
         cursor = connection.cursor()
         cursor.execute(query)