diff --git a/tubearchivist/home/tasks.py b/tubearchivist/home/tasks.py
index fa8562e..7346304 100644
--- a/tubearchivist/home/tasks.py
+++ b/tubearchivist/home/tasks.py
@@ -138,7 +138,9 @@ def run_restore_backup():
 
 def kill_dl(task_id):
     """kill download worker task by ID"""
-    app.control.revoke(task_id, terminate=True)
+    if task_id:
+        app.control.revoke(task_id, terminate=True)
+
     _ = RedisArchivist().del_message("dl_queue_id")
     RedisQueue("dl_queue").clear()
 
diff --git a/tubearchivist/home/views.py b/tubearchivist/home/views.py
index eef969f..c05545b 100644
--- a/tubearchivist/home/views.py
+++ b/tubearchivist/home/views.py
@@ -588,7 +588,10 @@ class PostData:
             RedisQueue("dl_queue").clear()
         elif to_execute == "kill":
             task_id = RedisArchivist().get_message("dl_queue_id")
-            print("brutally killing " + task_id)
+            if not task_id["status"]:
+                task_id = False
+            else:
+                print("brutally killing " + task_id)
             kill_dl(task_id)
 
         return {"success": True}