diff --git a/twoot.py b/twoot.py
index 6593a7d..8dfab80 100755
--- a/twoot.py
+++ b/twoot.py
@@ -222,7 +222,7 @@ def update_profile(nitter_url, soup, sql, mast_password):
             logging.info('banner image changed on twitter profile')
     else:
         # Mastodon user not found in database. Add new record
-        db.execute("INSERT INTO profiles (mastodon_instance, mastodon_account, avatar_url, banner_url) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?)", (TOML['config']['mastodon_instance'], TOML['config']['mastodon_user'], "", ""))
+        db.execute("INSERT INTO profiles (mastodon_instance, mastodon_account, avatar_url, banner_url) VALUES (?, ?, ?, ?)", (TOML['config']['mastodon_instance'], TOML['config']['mastodon_user'], None, None))
         sql.commit()
         changed = True
         logging.debug("added new profile to database")