diff --git a/v25/storage/dbstorage.py b/v25/storage/dbstorage.py
index 3fbf738..71e5723 100644
--- a/v25/storage/dbstorage.py
+++ b/v25/storage/dbstorage.py
@@ -80,7 +80,8 @@ class DBStorage(AbstractStorage):
 
     def check(self, subject: Subject) -> dict:
         session = self.Session()
-        status = json.loads(session.query(SSSJ).filter_by(subject=subject.vkey.encode()).one_or_none().status) or {}
+        sssj = session.query(SSSJ).filter_by(subject=subject.vkey.encode()).one_or_none()
+        status = json.loads(sssj.status) if sssj else {}
         if 'contacts' in status:
             query: Query = session.query(Msg).filter(or_(
                 Msg.sf == subject.vkey.encode(),