diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/data.py b/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/data.py
index 99f97281f595..54b757d36b9f 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/data.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/data.py
@@ -22,7 +22,9 @@ class BulkEmailTargetChoices:
     SEND_TO_TRACK = "track"
     SEND_TO_INDIVIDUAL_LEARNERS = "individual-learners"
 
-    TARGET_CHOICES = (SEND_TO_MYSELF, SEND_TO_STAFF, SEND_TO_LEARNERS, SEND_TO_COHORT, SEND_TO_TRACK, SEND_TO_INDIVIDUAL_LEARNERS)
+    TARGET_CHOICES = (
+        SEND_TO_MYSELF, SEND_TO_STAFF, SEND_TO_LEARNERS, SEND_TO_COHORT, SEND_TO_TRACK, SEND_TO_INDIVIDUAL_LEARNERS,
+    )
 
     @classmethod
     def is_valid_target(cls, target):
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/models.py b/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/models.py
index 152a60b15939..e175973b3baa 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/models.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/bulk_email/models.py
@@ -58,7 +58,14 @@ class Meta:
 SEND_TO_INDIVIDUAL_LEARNERS = 'individual-learners'
 EMAIL_TARGET_CHOICES = list(zip(
     [SEND_TO_MYSELF, SEND_TO_STAFF, SEND_TO_LEARNERS, SEND_TO_COHORT, SEND_TO_TRACK, SEND_TO_INDIVIDUAL_LEARNERS],
-    ['Myself', 'Staff and instructors', 'All students', 'Specific cohort', 'Specific course mode', 'Specific list of students']
+    [
+        'Myself',
+        'Staff and instructors',
+        'All students',
+        'Specific cohort',
+        'Specific course mode',
+        'Specific list of students',
+    ]
 ))
 EMAIL_TARGETS = {target[0] for target in EMAIL_TARGET_CHOICES}
 
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/tests/test_api.py b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/tests/test_api.py
index d5df1bfc77ef..e5c99fa2b07c 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/instructor/tests/test_api.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/instructor/tests/test_api.py
@@ -420,7 +420,15 @@ def setUp(self):
             ('update_forum_role_membership',
              {'unique_student_identifier': self.user.email, 'rolename': 'Moderator', 'action': 'allow'}),
             ('list_forum_members', {'rolename': FORUM_ROLE_COMMUNITY_TA}),
-            ('send_email', {'send_to': '["staff"]', 'individual_learners_emails': '[]' ,'subject': 'test', 'message': 'asdf'}),
+            (
+                'send_email',
+                {
+                    'send_to': '["staff"]',
+                    'individual_learners_emails': '[]',
+                    'subject': 'test',
+                    'message': 'asdf',
+                }
+            ),
             ('list_instructor_tasks', {}),
             ('instructor_api_v1:list_instructor_tasks', {}),
             ('list_background_email_tasks', {}),
@@ -3531,7 +3539,7 @@ def test_send_email_with_schedule(self, mock_task_api):
         response = self.client.post(url, self.full_test_message)
 
         assert response.status_code == 200
-        _, _, _, arg_schedule, _  = mock_task_api.call_args.args
+        _, _, _, arg_schedule, _ = mock_task_api.call_args.args
         assert arg_schedule == expected_schedule
 
     @patch("lms.djangoapps.instructor.views.api.task_api.submit_bulk_course_email")
diff --git a/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/api.py b/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/api.py
index 3b992fcab97c..5318c4e76da2 100644
--- a/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/api.py
+++ b/lms/djangoapps/instructor_task/api.py
@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@ def submit_delete_entrance_exam_state_for_student(request, usage_key, student):
     return submit_task(request, task_type, task_class, usage_key.course_key, task_input, task_key)
 
 
-def submit_bulk_course_email(request, course_key, email_id, schedule=None, individual_emails=[]):
+def submit_bulk_course_email(request, course_key, email_id, schedule=None, individual_emails=None):
     """
     Request to have bulk email sent as a background task.