diff --git a/handlers/start.py b/handlers/start.py
index 570ac30..51de9a0 100644
--- a/handlers/start.py
+++ b/handlers/start.py
@@ -93,8 +93,8 @@ async def start_command(message: Message):
 
     try:
         existing = await call_api("GET", f"/user/{user_id}")
-        user_exists = existing not in (None, "ERROR")
-
+        user_exists = isinstance(
+            existing, dict) and existing.get("id") is not None
         if not user_exists:
             logger.debug(f"[start] Пользователь {user_id} не найден, создаю.")
             create_result = await call_api(