diff --git a/server/users/services.py b/server/users/services.py
index 6d895835..809626bb 100644
--- a/server/users/services.py
+++ b/server/users/services.py
@@ -56,7 +56,11 @@ def create_users(data=None):
         hep_id = 1
 
         for school_class in data:
-            first, last, avatar_url = school_class.get('teacher')
+            try:
+                first, last, avatar_url = school_class.get('teacher')
+            except ValueError:
+                first, last = school_class.get('teacher')
+                avatar_url = ''
             teacher = UserFactory(
                 username='{}.{}'.format(first, last).lower(),
                 first_name=first,
@@ -71,7 +75,12 @@ def create_users(data=None):
 
             students = []
 
-            for first, last in school_class.get('students'):
+            for student_data in school_class.get('students'):
+                try:
+                    first, last, avatar_url = student_data
+                except ValueError:
+                    first, last = student_data
+                    avatar_url = ''
                 hep_id += 1
                 student = create_student(
                     username='{}.{}'.format(first, last).lower(),
@@ -80,7 +89,8 @@ def create_users(data=None):
                     email='{}.{}@skillbox.example'.format(first, last).lower(),
                     onboarding_visited=True,
                     license_expiry_date=in_a_week,
-                    hep_id=hep_id
+                    hep_id=hep_id,
+                    avatar_url=avatar_url
                 )
 
                 students.append(student)