diff --git a/main.py b/main.py
index f9dbdde..b4a9043 100644
--- a/main.py
+++ b/main.py
@@ -196,9 +196,9 @@ class StartVM(Resource):
 
         if check_otp(name, realm, token) == 200:
             vm = client.get(f"/v1/vm/{vm_uuid}", value_in_json=True)
-            if vm.value["owner"] != name:
-                return {"message": "Invalid User"}
             if vm:
+                if vm.value["owner"] != name:
+                    return {"message": "Invalid User"}
                 vm.value["status"] = "REQUESTED_START"
                 client.put(vm.key, json.dumps(vm.value))
                 return {"message": f"VM Start Queued"}
@@ -215,9 +215,9 @@ class SuspendVM(Resource):
 
         if check_otp(name, realm, token) == 200:
             vm = client.get(f"/v1/vm/{vm_uuid}", value_in_json=True)
-            if vm.value["owner"] != name:
-                return {"message": "Invalid User"}
             if vm:
+                if vm.value["owner"] != name:
+                    return {"message": "Invalid User"}
                 vm.value["status"] = "REQUESTED_SUSPEND"
                 client.put(vm.key, json.dumps(vm.value))
                 return {"message": f"VM Suspension Queued"}
@@ -234,9 +234,9 @@ class ResumeVM(Resource):
 
         if check_otp(name, realm, token) == 200:
             vm = client.get(f"/v1/vm/{vm_uuid}", value_in_json=True)
-            if vm.value["owner"] != name:
-                return {"message": "Invalid User"}
             if vm:
+                if vm.value["owner"] != name:
+                    return {"message": "Invalid User"}
                 vm.value["status"] = "REQUESTED_RESUME"
                 client.put(vm.key, json.dumps(vm.value))
                 return {"message": f"VM Resume Queued"}
@@ -253,10 +253,10 @@ class ShutdownVM(Resource):
 
         if check_otp(name, realm, token) == 200:
             vm = client.get(f"/v1/vm/{vm_uuid}", value_in_json=True)
-            if vm.value["owner"] != name:
-                return {"message": "Invalid User"}
-
             if vm:
+                if vm.value["owner"] != name:
+                    return {"message": "Invalid User"}
+                
                 vm.value["status"] = "REQUESTED_SHUTDOWN"
                 client.put(vm.key, json.dumps(vm.value))
                 return {"message": f"VM Shutdown Queued"}