title: A better way to write: a = b if a is None else a
body: <p>There is a very common sentence that I use over and over in Python that feels "too long", and I am hoping there is a more Pythonic way to write it:</p>
  
  <pre><code>a = b if a is None else a
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>Is there a better way to write this?</p>