diff --git a/app/models/user.rb b/app/models/user.rb
index e63d9f4d7..177befd5c 100644
--- a/app/models/user.rb
+++ b/app/models/user.rb
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ class User < ActiveRecord::Base
     self.update(
       erase_reason: erase_reason,
       username: nil,
-      email: "",
+      email: nil,
       unconfirmed_email: nil,
       document_number: nil,
       phone_number: nil,
diff --git a/spec/models/user_spec.rb b/spec/models/user_spec.rb
index be093c85e..f1e3513fe 100644
--- a/spec/models/user_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/models/user_spec.rb
@@ -320,7 +320,7 @@ describe User do
 
       expect(user.username).to be_nil
 
-      expect(user.email).to be_empty
+      expect(user.email).to be_nil
       expect(user.unconfirmed_email).to be_nil
       expect(user.document_number).to be_nil
       expect(user.phone_number).to be_nil