diff --git a/vumi/transports/wechat/message_types.py b/vumi/transports/wechat/message_types.py
index 195710ce1..e47724e4f 100644
--- a/vumi/transports/wechat/message_types.py
+++ b/vumi/transports/wechat/message_types.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 
 def get_child_value(node, name):
     [child] = node.findall(name)
-    return child.text.strip()
+    return (child.text.strip() if child.text is not None else '')
 
 
 def append(node, tag, value):
diff --git a/vumi/transports/wechat/tests/test_wechat.py b/vumi/transports/wechat/tests/test_wechat.py
index c5486c919..2b3cb85a2 100644
--- a/vumi/transports/wechat/tests/test_wechat.py
+++ b/vumi/transports/wechat/tests/test_wechat.py
@@ -149,9 +149,7 @@ def test_inbound_event_subscribe_message(self):
                     <Event>
                         <![CDATA[subscribe]]>
                     </Event>
-                    <EventKey>
-                        <![CDATA[]]>
-                    </EventKey>
+                    <EventKey><![CDATA[]]></EventKey>
                 </xml>
                 """)
         self.assertEqual(resp.code, http.OK)