diff --git a/mastochess.py b/mastochess.py
index 8e90031..91710d4 100644
--- a/mastochess.py
+++ b/mastochess.py
@@ -1044,9 +1044,15 @@ def close_game(username, checkmate):
 
         row = cur.fetchone()
 
-        if row[0] != None:
+        if row != None:
 
-            white_rating = row[0]
+            if row[0] != None:
+
+                white_rating = row[0]
+
+            else:
+
+                white_rating = 1500
 
         else:
 
@@ -1056,9 +1062,15 @@ def close_game(username, checkmate):
 
         row = cur.fetchone()
 
-        if row[0] != None:
+        if row != None:
 
-            black_rating = row[0]
+            if row[0] != None:
+
+                black_rating = row[0]
+
+            else:
+
+                black_rating = 1500
 
         else: