diff --git a/common/djangoapps/monitoring/signals.py b/common/djangoapps/monitoring/signals.py
index 6068a2347a..f870ff1c54 100644
--- a/common/djangoapps/monitoring/signals.py
+++ b/common/djangoapps/monitoring/signals.py
@@ -125,8 +125,10 @@ def m2m_changed_metrics(sender, **kwargs):
     if 'model' in kwargs:
         tags.append('target_class:{}'.format(kwargs['model'].__name__))
 
+    pk_set = kwargs.get('pk_set', []) or []
+
     dog_stats_api.increment(
         'edxapp.db.model',
-        value=len(kwargs.get('pk_set', [])),
+        value=len(pk_set),
         tags=tags
     )