problem calling $count[threads] variable

[Grunt]

im having a problem calling a variable in a template. here is the call:

$count[threads] new thread$pluralthread

If a new thread(s) have been made, the # will show no problem - the plural variable is working fine also. However, if no threads have been made, instead of showing 'No' like i think i specified below, nothing is showing up. Heres the code where they are defined:

  $newthreads = '';
  if ( $activenewthread )
  {
    if ( $dothreads = $DB_site->query_first("
      SELECT COUNT(*) AS total
      FROM thread
			WHERE $iforumperms AND dateline>$bbuserinfo[lastvisit]
    ") and !empty( $dothreads['total'] ) )
    {
      $count['threads'] = number_format( $dothreads['total'] );
      $count['threads'] = iif ( $count['threads']!=0 , $count['threads'] , 'No' );
      $pluralthread = iif ( $count['threads']!=1 , 's' , '' );
    }
  }