diff --git a/LightlessSyncServer/LightlessSyncServer/Hubs/LightlessHub.Groups.cs b/LightlessSyncServer/LightlessSyncServer/Hubs/LightlessHub.Groups.cs
index a9a0377..5858cf5 100644
--- a/LightlessSyncServer/LightlessSyncServer/Hubs/LightlessHub.Groups.cs
+++ b/LightlessSyncServer/LightlessSyncServer/Hubs/LightlessHub.Groups.cs
@@ -43,8 +43,11 @@ public partial class LightlessHub
 
         var now = DateTime.UtcNow;
 
-        var existingBan = await DbContext.Set<GroupBan>()
-            .SingleOrDefaultAsync(b => b.GroupGID == dto.Group.GID && b.BannedUserUID == targetUid, cancellationToken: RequestAbortedToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+        var existingBan = await DbContext.Set<GroupBan>().SingleOrDefaultAsync(b => b.GroupGID == dto.Group.GID && b.BannedUserUID == targetUid, cancellationToken: RequestAbortedToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+        var userExists = await DbContext.Users.AsNoTracking().AnyAsync(u => u.UID == targetUid, RequestAbortedToken).ConfigureAwait(false);
+
+        if (!userExists && existingBan == null)
+            return;
 
         const string marker = " (Alias at time of ban:";
         string suffix;