diff --git a/dotnet-authserver/src/TeacherIdentity.AuthServer/Pages/SignIn/TrnInUseChooseEmail.cshtml.cs b/dotnet-authserver/src/TeacherIdentity.AuthServer/Pages/SignIn/TrnInUseChooseEmail.cshtml.cs
index 4428a93b3..5ae899cd5 100644
--- a/dotnet-authserver/src/TeacherIdentity.AuthServer/Pages/SignIn/TrnInUseChooseEmail.cshtml.cs
+++ b/dotnet-authserver/src/TeacherIdentity.AuthServer/Pages/SignIn/TrnInUseChooseEmail.cshtml.cs
@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ public async Task<IActionResult> OnPost()
         user.EmailAddress = Email;
 
         bool trnVerificationLevelChanged = false;
-        if (user.TrnVerificationLevel < journeyTrnVerificationLevel)
+        if ((user.TrnVerificationLevel ?? TrnVerificationLevel.Low) < journeyTrnVerificationLevel)
         {
             user.TrnVerificationLevel = journeyTrnVerificationLevel;
             trnVerificationLevelChanged = true;