diff --git a/src/repositories/repoEntitlementsRepository.ts b/src/repositories/repoEntitlementsRepository.ts
index f9cdcde26..e878b7458 100644
--- a/src/repositories/repoEntitlementsRepository.ts
+++ b/src/repositories/repoEntitlementsRepository.ts
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ export class RepoEntitlementsRepository extends BaseRepository {
       `Mongo Timeout Error: Timedout while retrieving entitlements for ${slackUserId}`
     );
     // if user has specific entitlements
-    if ((entitlementsObject?.repos?.length ?? 0) > 0) {
+    if (entitlementsObject?.repos && entitlementsObject.repos.length > 0) {
       return {
         repos: entitlementsObject.repos,
         github_username: entitlementsObject.github_username,