diff --git a/server/boot/certificate.js b/server/boot/certificate.js
index eea1af73e9..d3d20f9a61 100644
--- a/server/boot/certificate.js
+++ b/server/boot/certificate.js
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ function getIdsForCert$(id, Challenge) {
 
 function sendCertifiedEmail(
   {
-    email,
+    email = '',
     name,
     username,
     isRespWebDesignCert,