diff --git a/app/Handlers/Events/APIEventHandler.php b/app/Handlers/Events/APIEventHandler.php
index 50085a46ea..c775b37b0c 100644
--- a/app/Handlers/Events/APIEventHandler.php
+++ b/app/Handlers/Events/APIEventHandler.php
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ class APIEventHandler
             // see if user has alternative email address:
             $pref = app('preferences')->getForUser($user, 'remote_guard_alt_email');
             if (null !== $pref) {
-                $email = $pref->data;
+                $email = (string)(is_array($pref->data) ? $email : $pref->data);
             }
 
             Log::debug(sprintf('Now in APIEventHandler::accessTokenCreated. Email is %s, IP is %s', $email, $ipAddress));