diff --git a/pagure/lib/__init__.py b/pagure/lib/__init__.py
index 5af833a..3898524 100644
--- a/pagure/lib/__init__.py
+++ b/pagure/lib/__init__.py
@@ -1640,7 +1640,7 @@ def update_user_ssh(session, user, ssh_key):
 
     message = 'Nothing to update'
 
-    ssh_key = ssh_key.strip().replace('\n', '') if ssh_key.strip() else None
+    ssh_key = ssh_key.strip().replace('\n', '') if ssh_key and ssh_key.strip() else None
 
     if ssh_key != user.public_ssh_key:
         user.public_ssh_key = ssh_key