diff --git a/extensions/jupyterlab/connect_jupyterlab/connect_jupyterlab/handlers.py b/extensions/jupyterlab/connect_jupyterlab/connect_jupyterlab/handlers.py
index 5650ee411..02c94dca8 100644
--- a/extensions/jupyterlab/connect_jupyterlab/connect_jupyterlab/handlers.py
+++ b/extensions/jupyterlab/connect_jupyterlab/connect_jupyterlab/handlers.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 import shlex
 import subprocess
 from urllib.parse import urlparse
-from typing import Set, Dict, Tuple
+from typing import Set, Dict, Tuple, Any
 
 from jupyter_server.base.handlers import APIHandler
 from jupyter_server.utils import url_path_join
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 from tornado.httputil import HTTPServerRequest
 from tornado.web import authenticated
 
-base_url = None
+base_url: str = ""
 EXECUTABLE = "connect-client"
 
 known_ports: Set[int] = set()
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ class PublishHandler(APIHandler):
     def post(self) -> None:
         """post initiates the publishing process. Details TBD."""
         self.log.info("Launching publishing UI")
-        data: Dict[str, str] = self.get_json_body()
+        data: Any = self.get_json_body()
         notebookPath = os.path.abspath(data["notebookPath"])
         pythonPath = data["pythonPath"]
         pythonVersion = data["pythonVersion"]