diff --git a/ckan/logic/action/delete.py b/ckan/logic/action/delete.py
index 816007ef19d..f461be9e182 100644
--- a/ckan/logic/action/delete.py
+++ b/ckan/logic/action/delete.py
@@ -45,14 +45,14 @@ def user_delete(context, data_dict):
     user_id = _get_or_bust(data_dict, 'id')
     user = model.User.get(user_id)
 
+    if user is None:
+        raise NotFound('User "{id}" was not found.'.format(id=user_id))
+
     # New revision, needed by the member table
     rev = model.repo.new_revision()
     rev.author = context['user']
     rev.message = _(u' Delete User: {0}').format(user.name)
 
-    if user is None:
-        raise NotFound('User "{id}" was not found.'.format(id=user_id))
-
     user.delete()
 
     user_memberships = model.Session.query(model.Member).filter(
diff --git a/ckan/tests/logic/action/test_delete.py b/ckan/tests/logic/action/test_delete.py
index 89a7f96cc63..6194d671144 100644
--- a/ckan/tests/logic/action/test_delete.py
+++ b/ckan/tests/logic/action/test_delete.py
@@ -506,6 +506,15 @@ def test_user_delete(self):
         user_obj = model.User.get(user[u'id'])
         assert_equals(user_obj.state, u'deleted')
 
+    def test_user_delete_but_user_doesnt_exist(self):
+        context = {}
+        params = {u'id': 'unknown'}
+
+        assert_raises(
+            logic.NotFound,
+            helpers.call_action,
+            u'user_delete', context, **params)
+
     def test_user_delete_removes_memberships(self):
         user = factories.User()
         factories.Organization(