diff --git a/server/src/services/asset-media.service.spec.ts b/server/src/services/asset-media.service.spec.ts
index bcaeb925b8d..0c1bbc3ceee 100644
--- a/server/src/services/asset-media.service.spec.ts
+++ b/server/src/services/asset-media.service.spec.ts
@@ -663,7 +663,7 @@ describe(AssetMediaService.name, () => {
   });
 
   describe('replaceAsset', () => {
-    it('should error when update photo does not exist', async () => {
+    it('should fail the auth check when update photo does not exist', async () => {
       await expect(sut.replaceAsset(authStub.user1, 'id', replaceDto, fileStub.photo)).rejects.toThrow(
         'Not found or no asset.update access',
       );
@@ -671,6 +671,15 @@ describe(AssetMediaService.name, () => {
       expect(mocks.asset.create).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
     });
 
+    it('should fail if asset cannot be fetched', async () => {
+      mocks.access.asset.checkOwnerAccess.mockResolvedValue(new Set([existingAsset.id]));
+      await expect(sut.replaceAsset(authStub.user1, existingAsset.id, replaceDto, fileStub.photo)).rejects.toThrow(
+        'Asset not found',
+      );
+
+      expect(mocks.asset.create).not.toHaveBeenCalled();
+    });
+
     it('should update a photo with no sidecar to photo with no sidecar', async () => {
       const updatedFile = fileStub.photo;
       const updatedAsset = { ...existingAsset, ...updatedFile };
diff --git a/server/src/services/asset-media.service.ts b/server/src/services/asset-media.service.ts
index 1b8a038b9ce..2929950f4da 100644
--- a/server/src/services/asset-media.service.ts
+++ b/server/src/services/asset-media.service.ts
@@ -165,7 +165,11 @@ export class AssetMediaService extends BaseService {
   ): Promise<AssetMediaResponseDto> {
     try {
       await this.requireAccess({ auth, permission: Permission.ASSET_UPDATE, ids: [id] });
-      const asset = (await this.assetRepository.getById(id)) as AssetEntity;
+      const asset = await this.assetRepository.getById(id);
+
+      if (!asset) {
+        throw new Error('Asset not found');
+      }
 
       this.requireQuota(auth, file.size);