diff --git a/hedera-node/hedera-file-service-impl/src/main/java/com/hedera/node/app/service/file/impl/utils/FileServiceUtils.java b/hedera-node/hedera-file-service-impl/src/main/java/com/hedera/node/app/service/file/impl/utils/FileServiceUtils.java
index a193740ae4fe..ecccf0d7aeb0 100644
--- a/hedera-node/hedera-file-service-impl/src/main/java/com/hedera/node/app/service/file/impl/utils/FileServiceUtils.java
+++ b/hedera-node/hedera-file-service-impl/src/main/java/com/hedera/node/app/service/file/impl/utils/FileServiceUtils.java
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ public static void validateAndAddRequiredKeysForDelete(
 
         final var file = optionalFile.get();
 
-        if (!file.hasKeys() || file.keys().keys().isEmpty() || file.keys().keys() == null) {
+        if (!file.hasKeys() || !file.keys().hasKeys() || file.keys().keys().isEmpty()) {
             // @todo('protobuf change needed') change to immutable file response code
             throw new HandleException(UNAUTHORIZED);
         }