diff --git a/files/routes/votes.py b/files/routes/votes.py
index c2fb49e1d..eeb4a625a 100644
--- a/files/routes/votes.py
+++ b/files/routes/votes.py
@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ def api_vote_post(post_id, new, v):
 	# check for existing vote
 	existing = g.db.query(Vote).filter_by(user_id=v.id, submission_id=post.id).first()
 
-	if existing.vote_type == new: return "", 204
+	if existing and existing.vote_type == new: return "", 204
 
 	if existing:
 		if existing.vote_type == 0 and new != 0:
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ def api_vote_comment(comment_id, new, v):
 	# check for existing vote
 	existing = g.db.query(CommentVote).filter_by(user_id=v.id, comment_id=comment.id).first()
 
-	if existing.vote_type == new: return "", 204
+	if existing and existing.vote_type == new: return "", 204
 
 	if existing:
 		if existing.vote_type == 0 and new != 0: