diff --git a/zerver/lib/push_notifications.py b/zerver/lib/push_notifications.py
index bf1a1f8c8d..1d748c9503 100644
--- a/zerver/lib/push_notifications.py
+++ b/zerver/lib/push_notifications.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ import base64, binascii, logging, os
 # for each request
 session = Session()
 connection = None
-if os.path.exists(settings.APNS_CERT_FILE):
+if settings.APNS_CERT_FILE is not None and os.path.exists(settings.APNS_CERT_FILE):
     connection = session.get_connection(settings.APNS_SANDBOX, cert_file=settings.APNS_CERT_FILE)
 
 def num_push_devices_for_user(user_profile):
diff --git a/zproject/settings.py b/zproject/settings.py
index 632ba66318..4a9f2d11bf 100644
--- a/zproject/settings.py
+++ b/zproject/settings.py
@@ -245,6 +245,7 @@ DEFAULT_SETTINGS = {'TWITTER_CONSUMER_KEY': '',
                     'NEW_USER_BOT': None,
                     'NAGIOS_STAGING_SEND_BOT': None,
                     'NAGIOS_STAGING_RECEIVE_BOT': None,
+                    'APNS_CERT_FILE': None,
                     'ZULIP_ADMINISTRATOR': ''
                     }