diff --git a/zerver/views/registration.py b/zerver/views/registration.py
index 23ad647ba0..616afbf22d 100644
--- a/zerver/views/registration.py
+++ b/zerver/views/registration.py
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ def accounts_register(request: HttpRequest) -> HttpResponse:
 
         if not realm_creation:
             try:
-                existing_user_profile = get_user(email, realm)
+                existing_user_profile = get_user(email, realm)  # type: Optional[UserProfile]
             except UserProfile.DoesNotExist:
                 existing_user_profile = None
         else: