diff --git a/src/extractor/guidance/motorway_handler.cpp b/src/extractor/guidance/motorway_handler.cpp
index 04da12c47..e68f4d399 100644
--- a/src/extractor/guidance/motorway_handler.cpp
+++ b/src/extractor/guidance/motorway_handler.cpp
@@ -379,11 +379,15 @@ Intersection MotorwayHandler::fromRamp(const EdgeID via_eid, Intersection inters
             //
             //     7         1
             //          0
+            const auto &first_intersection_name =
+                name_table.GetNameForID(first_intersection_data.name_id).to_string();
+            const auto &second_intersection_name =
+                name_table.GetNameForID(second_intersection_data.name_id).to_string();
             if (intersection[1].entry_allowed)
             {
                 if (isMotorwayClass(intersection[1].eid, node_based_graph) &&
-                    second_intersection_data.name_id != EMPTY_NAMEID &&
-                    first_intersection_data.name_id != EMPTY_NAMEID && first_second_same_name)
+                    !second_intersection_name.empty() && !first_intersection_name.empty() &&
+                    first_second_same_name)
                 {
                     // circular order indicates a merge to the left (0-3 onto 4
                     if (angularDeviation(intersection[1].angle, STRAIGHT_ANGLE) <
@@ -407,8 +411,8 @@ Intersection MotorwayHandler::fromRamp(const EdgeID via_eid, Intersection inters
             {
                 BOOST_ASSERT(intersection[2].entry_allowed);
                 if (isMotorwayClass(intersection[2].eid, node_based_graph) &&
-                    second_intersection_data.name_id != EMPTY_NAMEID &&
-                    first_intersection_data.name_id != EMPTY_NAMEID && first_second_same_name)
+                    !second_intersection_name.empty() && !first_intersection_name.empty() &&
+                    first_second_same_name)
                 {
                     // circular order (5-0) onto 4
                     if (angularDeviation(intersection[2].angle, STRAIGHT_ANGLE) <