diff --git a/tom_common/api_router.py b/tom_common/api_router.py
index d958b8ee..fbeb7b68 100644
--- a/tom_common/api_router.py
+++ b/tom_common/api_router.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ class SharedAPIRootRouter(SimpleRouter):
     def register(self, *args, **kwargs):
         logger.info(f'registering new views: args: {args}, kwargs: {kwargs}')
         viewset = kwargs.get('viewset') or args[1]
-        basename = kwargs.get('basename') or args[2] if len(args) > 2 else None
+        basename = kwargs.get('basename') or (args[2] if len(args) > 2 else None)
         if not basename:
             basename = self.shared_router.get_default_basename(viewset)
         if self.shared_router.is_already_registered(basename):