diff --git a/zerver/lib/soft_deactivation.py b/zerver/lib/soft_deactivation.py
index d958867879..28d36f2426 100644
--- a/zerver/lib/soft_deactivation.py
+++ b/zerver/lib/soft_deactivation.py
@@ -181,7 +181,7 @@ def do_soft_deactivate_users(users: List[UserProfile]) -> List[UserProfile]:
             log = RealmAuditLog(
                 realm=user.realm,
                 modified_user=user,
-                event_type='user_soft_deactivated',
+                event_type=RealmAuditLog.USER_SOFT_DEACTIVATED,
                 event_time=event_time
             )
             realm_logs.append(log)
diff --git a/zerver/models.py b/zerver/models.py
index 373a0a74d9..65c18e154f 100644
--- a/zerver/models.py
+++ b/zerver/models.py
@@ -1966,6 +1966,7 @@ class RealmAuditLog(models.Model):
     USER_DEACTIVATED = 'user_deactivated'
     USER_REACTIVATED = 'user_reactivated'
     USER_SOFT_ACTIVATED = 'user_soft_activated'
+    USER_SOFT_DEACTIVATED = 'user_soft_deactivated'
     USER_CHANGE_PASSWORD = 'user_change_password'
     USER_CHANGE_AVATAR_SOURCE = 'user_change_avatar_source'
     USER_FULL_NAME_CHANGED = 'user_full_name_changed'