diff --git a/confluent_server/confluent/networking/netutil.py b/confluent_server/confluent/networking/netutil.py
index fb140ef2..60106c34 100644
--- a/confluent_server/confluent/networking/netutil.py
+++ b/confluent_server/confluent/networking/netutil.py
@@ -34,6 +34,8 @@ def get_switchcreds(configmanager, switches):
                                                              'public')
             user = switchparms.get(
                 'secret.hardwaremanagementuser', {}).get('value', None)
+            if not user:
+                user = None
         switchauth.append((switch, password, user))
     return switchauth