diff --git a/dotnet/BeakPeekApi/Controllers/BirdController.cs b/dotnet/BeakPeekApi/Controllers/BirdController.cs
index 50a53ae3..9d3855b4 100644
--- a/dotnet/BeakPeekApi/Controllers/BirdController.cs
+++ b/dotnet/BeakPeekApi/Controllers/BirdController.cs
@@ -294,7 +294,7 @@ public async Task<ActionResult<IEnumerable<ProvinceDto>>> GetBirdsByRef(int id)
             var birds = await _context.Provinces
                 .Include(p => p.Bird)
                 .Include(p => p.Pentad)
-                .Where(p => p.Bird!.Ref == id)
+                .Where(p => p.Bird != null && p.Bird.Ref == id)
                 .ToListAsync();
 
             if (birds == null || birds.Count == 0)