diff --git a/src/node/db/Pad.js b/src/node/db/Pad.js
index 91ab7f792..4e7d16987 100644
--- a/src/node/db/Pad.js
+++ b/src/node/db/Pad.js
@@ -454,15 +454,12 @@ Pad.prototype.copy = function copy(destinationID, force, callback) {
   var _this = this;
   var destGroupID;
 
-  // make force optional
-  if (typeof force == "function") {
-    callback = force;
-    force = false;
+  // allow force to be a string
+  if (typeof force === "string") {
+    force = (force.toLowerCase() === "true");
+  } else {
+    force = !!force;
   }
-  else if (force == undefined || force.toLowerCase() != "true") {
-    force = false;
-  }
-  else force = true;
 
   // Kick everyone from this pad.
   // This was commented due to https://github.com/ether/etherpad-lite/issues/3183.