diff --git a/truthinquiry/logic/game_logic.py b/truthinquiry/logic/game_logic.py
index f5a7bcf..d4731dc 100644
--- a/truthinquiry/logic/game_logic.py
+++ b/truthinquiry/logic/game_logic.py
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ class Game:
         """
         print(self.reaction_table)
         if npc_id not in self.reaction_table:
-            return 0
+            return None
         trait_id = self.reaction_table[npc_id]
 
         reaction = db.session.execute(
diff --git a/truthinquiry/routes/routes_api.py b/truthinquiry/routes/routes_api.py
index 4f797d0..879a764 100644
--- a/truthinquiry/routes/routes_api.py
+++ b/truthinquiry/routes/routes_api.py
@@ -147,9 +147,8 @@ def get_npc_reaction():
     npc_id = flask.request.values.get("npcid")
 
     image = game.get_npc_reaction(npc_id)
-    errors = ["npc not in game","error reading file"]
-    if image in [0,1]:
-        return {"error": 1, "msg": errors[image]}
+    if image == None:
+        return {"error": 1, "msg": "npc not in game"}
 
     response = flask.make_response(image)
     response.headers.set('Content-Type', 'image/png')