diff --git a/packages/react-navigation/src/views/Header/HeaderBackButton.js b/packages/react-navigation/src/views/Header/HeaderBackButton.js
index 070f23d0..3760b1cb 100644
--- a/packages/react-navigation/src/views/Header/HeaderBackButton.js
+++ b/packages/react-navigation/src/views/Header/HeaderBackButton.js
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ class HeaderBackButton extends React.PureComponent<Props, State> {
             source={asset}
           />
           {Platform.OS === 'ios' &&
-            title && (
+            typeof backButtonTitle === 'string' && (
               <Text
                 onLayout={this._onTextLayout}
                 style={[