diff --git a/esmvalcore/_recipe/check.py b/esmvalcore/_recipe/check.py
index ac7b7f5bec..2978b74931 100644
--- a/esmvalcore/_recipe/check.py
+++ b/esmvalcore/_recipe/check.py
@@ -401,7 +401,7 @@ def _check_literal(
     *,
     step: str,
     option: str,
-    allowed_values: tuple[str],
+    allowed_values: tuple[None | str, ...],
 ) -> None:
     """Check that an option for a preprocessor has a valid value."""
     if step not in settings: