diff --git a/repoapi/models/jbi.py b/repoapi/models/jbi.py
index 24cd91a..f752a0b 100644
--- a/repoapi/models/jbi.py
+++ b/repoapi/models/jbi.py
@@ -249,6 +249,10 @@ class JenkinsBuildInfo(models.Model):
             self.tag,
         )
 
+    @property
+    def has_ppa(self):
+        return self.param_ppa not in ["$ppa", None]
+
     @property
     def build_path(self):
         return settings.JBI_BASEDIR.joinpath(
diff --git a/repoapi/signals.py b/repoapi/signals.py
index 3a19b99..58a0edf 100644
--- a/repoapi/signals.py
+++ b/repoapi/signals.py
@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ def jbi_manage(sender, **kwargs):
 
 
 def gerrit_repo_add(instance):
-    if instance.param_ppa == "$ppa":
+    if not instance.has_ppa:
         logger.warn("ppa unset, skip removal")
         return
     GerritRepoInfo = apps.get_model("repoapi", "GerritRepoInfo")
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ def gerrit_repo_add(instance):
 
 
 def gerrit_repo_del(instance):
-    if instance.param_ppa == "$ppa":
+    if not instance.has_ppa:
         logger.warn("ppa unset, skip removal")
         return
     GerritRepoInfo = apps.get_model("repoapi", "GerritRepoInfo")
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ def gerrit_repo_manage(sender, **kwargs):
             branch=instance.param_branch,
             ppa=instance.param_ppa,
         )
-        if instance.param_ppa == "$ppa":
+        if not instance.has_ppa:
             logger.warn("ppa unset, skip")
             return
         if (
diff --git a/repoapi/test/test_basic_model.py b/repoapi/test/test_basic_model.py
index 480c579..ecfcd4f 100644
--- a/repoapi/test/test_basic_model.py
+++ b/repoapi/test/test_basic_model.py
@@ -98,6 +98,16 @@ class JenkinsBuildInfoTestCase(BaseTest):
         job.job_url = JBI_HOST % "jenkins.local"
         self.assertTrue(job.is_job_url_allowed())
 
+    def test_creation_no_ppa(self):
+        jbi = JenkinsBuildInfo.objects.create(
+            projectname="fake",
+            jobname="fake-get-code",
+            buildnumber=1,
+            result="OK",
+        )
+        self.assertIsNone(jbi.param_ppa)
+        self.assertFalse(jbi.has_ppa)
+
 
 class JenkinsBuildInfoProperties(BaseTest):
     fixtures = ["test_model_queries"]