diff --git a/lib/promotion.rb b/lib/promotion.rb
index d96b304d5ab..c39d13f44f7 100644
--- a/lib/promotion.rb
+++ b/lib/promotion.rb
@@ -126,8 +126,8 @@ class Promotion
     # Then consider the group locked level
     user_group_granted_trust_level = user.group_granted_trust_level
 
-    unless user_group_granted_trust_level.blank?
-      return user.update!(
+    if user_group_granted_trust_level.present?
+      return user.update(
         trust_level: user_group_granted_trust_level
       )
     end
diff --git a/spec/services/user_destroyer_spec.rb b/spec/services/user_destroyer_spec.rb
index a26da77d4ea..01e6e81027f 100644
--- a/spec/services/user_destroyer_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/services/user_destroyer_spec.rb
@@ -390,6 +390,17 @@ describe UserDestroyer do
           d.destroy(user)
         }.to change { User.count }.by(-1)
       end
+
+      it 'can delete the user if they were to fall into another trust level and have no email' do
+        g2 = Fabricate(:group, grant_trust_level: 1)
+        g2.add(user)
+
+        UserEmail.where(user: user).delete_all
+        user.reload
+        expect {
+          UserDestroyer.new(admin).destroy(user)
+        }.to change { User.count }.by(-1)
+      end
     end
 
     context 'user has staff action logs' do