diff --git a/src/NzbDrone.Core/Authentication/UserService.cs b/src/NzbDrone.Core/Authentication/UserService.cs
index 274bab7d5..4ca713890 100644
--- a/src/NzbDrone.Core/Authentication/UserService.cs
+++ b/src/NzbDrone.Core/Authentication/UserService.cs
@@ -75,6 +75,11 @@ public User FindUser(string username, string password)
         {
             var user = _repo.FindUser(username.ToLowerInvariant());
 
+            if (user == null)
+            {
+                return null;
+            }
+
             if (user.Password == password.SHA256Hash())
             {
                 return user;