diff --git a/config.py b/config.py
index de581939e..506e23b74 100644
--- a/config.py
+++ b/config.py
@@ -59,8 +59,8 @@ class DefaultConfig(object):
   MAIL_SERVER = ''
   MAIL_USE_TLS = True
   MAIL_PORT = 587
-  MAIL_USERNAME = ''
-  MAIL_PASSWORD = ''
+  MAIL_USERNAME = None
+  MAIL_PASSWORD = None
   MAIL_DEFAULT_SENDER = 'support@quay.io'
   MAIL_FAIL_SILENTLY = False
   TESTING = True