diff --git a/api/funkwhale_api/users/serializers.py b/api/funkwhale_api/users/serializers.py
index 8d83fd416..8a28e8d49 100644
--- a/api/funkwhale_api/users/serializers.py
+++ b/api/funkwhale_api/users/serializers.py
@@ -57,8 +57,11 @@ class RegisterSerializer(BaseRegisterSerializer):
     )
 
     def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
-        self.approval_enabled = preferences.get("moderation__signup_approval_enabled")
         super().__init__(*args, **kwargs)
+        if getattr(self.context["view"], "swagger_fake_view", False):
+            return
+
+        self.approval_enabled = preferences.get("moderation__signup_approval_enabled")
         if self.approval_enabled:
             customization = preferences.get("moderation__signup_form_customization")
             self.fields[
diff --git a/changes/changelog.d/allow-generating-api-schema-without-db.bugfix b/changes/changelog.d/allow-generating-api-schema-without-db.bugfix
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1628bedf3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changes/changelog.d/allow-generating-api-schema-without-db.bugfix
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Allow generating api schema without db connection