diff --git a/services/core.py b/services/core.py
index 7cbddb3..dc6d1c2 100644
--- a/services/core.py
+++ b/services/core.py
@@ -75,6 +75,6 @@ async def get_author(user: str = ""):
     }
 
     r = await _request_endpoint(query_name, gql)
-    if isinstance(r, list):
+    if r and isinstance(r, list):
         r = r.pop()
     return r