diff --git a/lib/channel.js b/lib/channel.js
index ed7588e9..45b6d733 100644
--- a/lib/channel.js
+++ b/lib/channel.js
@@ -732,11 +732,13 @@ Channel.prototype.handleNameBan = function (actor, name, reason) {
             return;
         }
 
-        if (err) {
+        if (err && err !== "User does not exist") {
             actor.socket.emit("errorMsg", {
                 msg: "Internal error: " + err
             });
             return;
+        } else if (err === "User does not exist") {
+            rank = 0;
         }
 
         if (rank >= actor.rank) {