Error, "Variable value is not valid" using a variable with a SQL statment as a value, in Automation (4228994)

In the Automation tool, using the IF condition task and the Variable task; the variable will contain a SQL statment to determine the value and the IF statment will take that value to perform certain actions.

However, running the Automation script, the following error occurs:

****************
Activity '' validation failed: Variable value is not valid
0=""

Build Failed
****************

However, if the SQL query is taken out of the variable and a litteral value is entered for the variable instead, then it works.