diff --git a/Libs/ModelSerializers/AbstractSerializer.php b/Libs/ModelSerializers/AbstractSerializer.php
index 872cecfb..33d160c2 100644
--- a/Libs/ModelSerializers/AbstractSerializer.php
+++ b/Libs/ModelSerializers/AbstractSerializer.php
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ abstract class AbstractSerializer implements IModelSerializer
             foreach ($mappings as $attribute => $mapping) {
                 $mapping = preg_split('/:/', $mapping);
                 if(count($fields) > 0 && !in_array($mapping[0], $fields)) continue;
-
+                $value = null;
                 foreach($method_prefix as $prefix){
                     if(method_exists($this->object, $prefix.$attribute)){
                         $value   = call_user_func([$this->object, $prefix.$attribute ]);
diff --git a/app/Models/Foundation/Summit/Speakers/SpeakerEditPermissionRequest.php b/app/Models/Foundation/Summit/Speakers/SpeakerEditPermissionRequest.php
index d338ee86..1ff6740a 100644
--- a/app/Models/Foundation/Summit/Speakers/SpeakerEditPermissionRequest.php
+++ b/app/Models/Foundation/Summit/Speakers/SpeakerEditPermissionRequest.php
@@ -112,9 +112,9 @@ class SpeakerEditPermissionRequest extends SilverstripeBaseModel
     }
 
     /**
-     * @return DateTime
+     * @return ?DateTime
      */
-    public function getApprovedDate():DateTime
+    public function getApprovedDate():?DateTime
     {
         return $this->approved_date;
     }