diff --git a/bigchaindb/commands/bigchaindb.py b/bigchaindb/commands/bigchaindb.py
index 95b6f26f..447431b4 100644
--- a/bigchaindb/commands/bigchaindb.py
+++ b/bigchaindb/commands/bigchaindb.py
@@ -203,6 +203,9 @@ def run_upsert_validator_show(args, bigchain):
     """
 
     election = bigchain.get_transaction(args.election_id)
+    if not election:
+        logger.error(f'No election found with election_id {args.election_id}')
+        return
 
     new_validator = election.asset['data']