diff --git a/zulip_botserver/zulip_botserver/server.py b/zulip_botserver/zulip_botserver/server.py
index 25a97d6c4..b7d85e7b3 100644
--- a/zulip_botserver/zulip_botserver/server.py
+++ b/zulip_botserver/zulip_botserver/server.py
@@ -169,6 +169,7 @@ def init_message_handlers(
 @app.route('/', methods=['POST'])
 def handle_bot() -> str:
     event = request.get_json(force=True)
+    assert event is not None
     for bot_name, config in bots_config.items():
         if config['email'] == event['bot_email']:
             bot = bot_name