diff --git a/python/lib/dependabot/python/file_parser.rb b/python/lib/dependabot/python/file_parser.rb
index 9ab46bb3fa..51ce0980ad 100644
--- a/python/lib/dependabot/python/file_parser.rb
+++ b/python/lib/dependabot/python/file_parser.rb
@@ -315,8 +315,9 @@ def blocking_marker?(dep)
         else
           return true if dep["markers"].include?("<")
           return false if dep["markers"].include?(">")
+          return false if dep["requirement"].nil?
 
-          dep["requirement"]&.include?("<")
+          dep["requirement"].include?("<")
         end
       end