diff --git a/debug_toolbar/panels/alerts.py b/debug_toolbar/panels/alerts.py
index 32c656dde..e640dcdd5 100644
--- a/debug_toolbar/panels/alerts.py
+++ b/debug_toolbar/panels/alerts.py
@@ -83,8 +83,7 @@ def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
 
     @property
     def nav_subtitle(self):
-        alerts = self.get_stats()["alerts"]
-        if alerts:
+        if alerts := self.get_stats().get("alerts"):
             alert_text = "alert" if len(alerts) == 1 else "alerts"
             return f"{len(alerts)} {alert_text}"
         else: