diff --git a/ldapcherry/backend/backendLdap.py b/ldapcherry/backend/backendLdap.py
index 50fd8c6..b180451 100644
--- a/ldapcherry/backend/backendLdap.py
+++ b/ldapcherry/backend/backendLdap.py
@@ -442,6 +442,8 @@
         # but with MOD_DELETE
         ldap_client = self._bind()
         tmp = self._get_user(self._str(username), ALL_ATTRS)
+        if tmp is None:
+            raise UserDoesntExist(username, self.backend_name)
         dn = tmp[0]
         attrs = tmp[1]
         attrs['dn'] = dn