diff --git a/rslib/src/notes.rs b/rslib/src/notes.rs
index 23e9f7019..9a1256c5a 100644
--- a/rslib/src/notes.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/notes.rs
@@ -274,6 +274,8 @@ impl Collection {
                 // nothing to do
                 return Ok(());
             }
+        } else {
+            return Err(AnkiError::NotFound);
         }
 
         self.transact(None, |col| {