diff --git a/changelog.d/9986.misc b/changelog.d/9986.misc
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..97bd747f26
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/9986.misc
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Simplify a few helper functions.
diff --git a/synapse/config/registration.py b/synapse/config/registration.py
index e6f52b4f40..d9dc55a0c3 100644
--- a/synapse/config/registration.py
+++ b/synapse/config/registration.py
@@ -349,4 +349,4 @@ class RegistrationConfig(Config):
 
     def read_arguments(self, args):
         if args.enable_registration is not None:
-            self.enable_registration = bool(strtobool(str(args.enable_registration)))
+            self.enable_registration = strtobool(str(args.enable_registration))