diff --git a/stdnum/cn/ric.py b/stdnum/cn/ric.py
index 12554b80..ed15cc80 100644
--- a/stdnum/cn/ric.py
+++ b/stdnum/cn/ric.py
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ def get_birth_place(number: str) -> dict[str, str]:
     number = compact(number)
     results = numdb.get('cn/loc').info(number[:6])
     info = {k: v for part, props in results for k, v in props.items()}
-    if not info:
+    if 'county' not in info:
         raise InvalidComponent()
     year = get_birth_date(number).year
     # check if any found county was assigned at the birth year
diff --git a/tests/test_cn_ric.doctest b/tests/test_cn_ric.doctest
index ddd87802..d3ba9a4b 100644
--- a/tests/test_cn_ric.doctest
+++ b/tests/test_cn_ric.doctest
@@ -101,3 +101,9 @@ Invalid location:
 Traceback (most recent call last):
     ...
 InvalidComponent: ...
+>>> ric.validate('361426199101010072')  # known province, unknown county code
+Traceback (most recent call last):
+    ...
+InvalidComponent: ...
+>>> ric.is_valid('361426199101010072')
+False