diff --git a/lemur/certificates/service.py b/lemur/certificates/service.py
index a49e69b8..8dbc7597 100644
--- a/lemur/certificates/service.py
+++ b/lemur/certificates/service.py
@@ -220,7 +220,8 @@ def create(**kwargs):
         notifications += notification_service.create_default_expiration_notifications(notification_name, [cert.owner])
 
     notification_name = 'DEFAULT_SECURITY'
-    notifications += notification_service.create_default_expiration_notifications(notification_name, current_app.config.get('LEMUR_SECURITY_TEAM_EMAIL'))
+    notifications += notification_service.create_default_expiration_notifications(notification_name,
+                                                                                  current_app.config.get('LEMUR_SECURITY_TEAM_EMAIL'))
     cert.notifications = notifications
 
     database.update(cert)
diff --git a/lemur/notifications/service.py b/lemur/notifications/service.py
index 648c0dc4..4f3ba6c1 100644
--- a/lemur/notifications/service.py
+++ b/lemur/notifications/service.py
@@ -178,6 +178,9 @@ def create_default_expiration_notifications(name, recipients):
     :param name:
     :return:
     """
+    if not recipients:
+        return []
+
     options = [
         {
             'name': 'unit',