diff --git a/lokrez/smashgg.py b/lokrez/smashgg.py
index 4aba05e..66e4a36 100644
--- a/lokrez/smashgg.py
+++ b/lokrez/smashgg.py
@@ -95,11 +95,11 @@ class Player():
             chars = None
             ):
         self.id            = int(id) # actually intended to store an Entrant id
-        self.prefix        = prefix
+        self.prefix        = ( "" if prefix is None else prefix )
         self.gamerTag      = gamerTag
         self.placement     = int(placement)
         self.seeding       = int(seeding)
-        self.twitterHandle = twitterHandle
+        self.twitterHandle = ( "" if twitterHandle is None else twitterHandle )
 
         if chars is None:
             self.chars = {}