diff --git a/mediagoblin/db/sql/base.py b/mediagoblin/db/sql/base.py
index 38b04334..5e420bdc 100644
--- a/mediagoblin/db/sql/base.py
+++ b/mediagoblin/db/sql/base.py
@@ -24,6 +24,4 @@ class GMGTableBase(object):
 
     @classmethod
     def one(cls, query_dict):
-        retval = cls.find_one(query_dict)
-        assert retval is not None
-        return retval
+        return cls.find(query_dict).one()