diff --git a/synapse/storage/event_push_actions.py b/synapse/storage/event_push_actions.py
index 5b9a4ca60d..c6625a7b08 100644
--- a/synapse/storage/event_push_actions.py
+++ b/synapse/storage/event_push_actions.py
@@ -200,7 +200,7 @@ class EventPushActionsStore(SQLBaseStore):
             txn.execute(sql, (stream_ordering,))
             return txn.fetchone()
         result = yield self.runInteraction("get_time_of_last_push_action_before", f)
-        defer.returnValue(result[0] if result is not None else None)
+        defer.returnValue(result[0] if result else None)
 
     @defer.inlineCallbacks
     def get_latest_push_action_stream_ordering(self):