diff --git a/bin/region_mover.rb b/bin/region_mover.rb
index 3231cabb65d..64709d7ed56 100644
--- a/bin/region_mover.rb
+++ b/bin/region_mover.rb
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ def getServerNameForRegion(admin, r)
         sleep 0.1
       end
       # Make a fake servername by appending ','
-      metaServer = mtl.getMetaRegionLocation(zkw).toString() + ","
+      metaServer = (mtl.getMetaRegionLocation(zkw).toString() + ",").to_s
       return metaServer
     ensure
       zkw.close()
@@ -385,7 +385,7 @@ def loadRegions(options, hostname, port)
     end
     next unless exists
     currentServer = getServerNameForRegion(admin, r)
-    if currentServer and currentServer == servername
+    if currentServer and servername and currentServer == servername.to_s
       $LOG.info("Region " + r.getRegionNameAsString() + " (" + counter.to_s +
         " of " + regions.length.to_s + ") already on target server=" + servername)
       counter = counter + 1