diff --git a/r2/r2/lib/jsontemplates.py b/r2/r2/lib/jsontemplates.py
index 7c78978bc..2a73fe04a 100755
--- a/r2/r2/lib/jsontemplates.py
+++ b/r2/r2/lib/jsontemplates.py
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ class ThingJsonTemplate(JsonTemplate):
         """
         if attr == "author":
             if thing.author._deleted:
-                return None
+                return "[deleted]"
             return thing.author.name
         if attr == "author_flair_text":
             if thing.author._deleted: