diff --git a/lib/galaxy/tool_util/verify/__init__.py b/lib/galaxy/tool_util/verify/__init__.py
index 976c8706b684..e54a70c9d7af 100644
--- a/lib/galaxy/tool_util/verify/__init__.py
+++ b/lib/galaxy/tool_util/verify/__init__.py
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@
 try:
     from PIL import Image
 except ImportError:
-    pass
+    Image = None  # type: ignore[assignment]
 
 from galaxy.tool_util.parser.util import (
     DEFAULT_DELTA,
diff --git a/lib/galaxy/util/image_util.py b/lib/galaxy/util/image_util.py
index 1b9bf7d99bb5..2cf405ae6390 100644
--- a/lib/galaxy/util/image_util.py
+++ b/lib/galaxy/util/image_util.py
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@
 try:
     from PIL import Image
 except ImportError:
-    PIL = None
+    Image = None  # type: ignore[assignment]
 
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)