execute if entity @p[distance..3] always returns true on repeating cmd block, despite being out of range.

I have a repeating conditionless command block that doesn't need redstone set to detect when a player is in range of ..3 ----> execute if entity @p[distance..3] 

It always outputs to a redstone comparator regardless if i'm in range or out of range. This changed however, if I add a run command after it. IE: ----> execute if entity @p[distance=..3] run say hi.   That command runs just fine.

Am I crazy? I'm pretty sure the first command worked in the previous pre-release.