diff --git a/backend/app/services/db_helpers.py b/backend/app/services/db_helpers.py
index 2b934c4..992a76d 100644
--- a/backend/app/services/db_helpers.py
+++ b/backend/app/services/db_helpers.py
@@ -15,16 +15,13 @@ sync/async boundary; the importer one stays as the lone sync consumer.
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 from collections.abc import Awaitable, Callable
-from typing import TypeVar
 
 from sqlalchemy import Select
 from sqlalchemy.exc import IntegrityError
 from sqlalchemy.ext.asyncio import AsyncSession
 
-T = TypeVar("T")
 
-
-async def get_or_create(
+async def get_or_create[T](
     session: AsyncSession,
     select_stmt: Select,
     factory: Callable[[], Awaitable[T]],