diff --git a/wp-includes/comment.php b/wp-includes/comment.php
index 4360f14d09..2762b77593 100644
--- a/wp-includes/comment.php
+++ b/wp-includes/comment.php
@@ -3658,7 +3658,7 @@ function wp_handle_comment_submission( $comment_data ) {
 	$comment_type = 'comment';
 
 	if ( get_option( 'require_name_email' ) && ! $user->exists() ) {
-		if ( '' == $comment_author_email || '' == $comment_author ) {
+		if ( '' === $comment_author_email || '' === $comment_author ) {
 			return new WP_Error( 'require_name_email', __( '<strong>Error:</strong> Please fill the required fields.' ), 200 );
 		} elseif ( ! is_email( $comment_author_email ) ) {
 			return new WP_Error( 'require_valid_email', __( '<strong>Error:</strong> Please enter a valid email address.' ), 200 );
diff --git a/wp-includes/version.php b/wp-includes/version.php
index 9a44f15a01..e6ee910ff6 100644
--- a/wp-includes/version.php
+++ b/wp-includes/version.php
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
  *
  * @global string $wp_version
  */
-$wp_version = '6.8-alpha-59555';
+$wp_version = '6.8-alpha-59556';
 
 /**
  * Holds the WordPress DB revision, increments when changes are made to the WordPress DB schema.