diff --git a/bin/anthology/papers.py b/bin/anthology/papers.py
index 65a1f38162..41fb5d2702 100644
--- a/bin/anthology/papers.py
+++ b/bin/anthology/papers.py
@@ -178,6 +178,9 @@ def from_xml(xml_element, *args):
         # a better way to do this.
         if "retracted" in paper.attrib and paper.attrib["retracted"] is None:
             paper.attrib["retracted"] = " "
+
+        # Adjust the title for retracted papers
+        if "retracted" in paper.attrib:
             paper.attrib["xml_title"].text = (
                 "[RETRACTED] " + paper.attrib["xml_title"].text
             )