Check for duplicate serial numbers

I'm trying to check for duplicate serial numbers on add and update, the problem is that a serial number can be blank. How do I check for only serial numbers that have values. Innovator inn=this.getInnovator(); // Block User if Delivered Component already exist string DeliveredCompSN = this.getProperty("item_number"); Item check = this.newItem("MIN_Delivered_Component","get"); check.setProperty("item_number",DeliveredCompSN); check = check.apply(); if (check.getItemCount()>1){ return inn.newError("Serial Number already exists in Delivered Componets"); } return this;