diff --git a/applications/modelling_e2e/handler.py b/applications/modelling_e2e/handler.py
index 8ff4497bd..208b5ae7c 100644
--- a/applications/modelling_e2e/handler.py
+++ b/applications/modelling_e2e/handler.py
@@ -393,7 +393,11 @@ def _newer_lodged(
     """ADR-0001 Recency Tie-Break over the two lodged sources. Returns
     (chosen, chosen_is_fetched) — the bool gates the EPC save, so a stored EPC
     that wins is never re-persisted."""
-    if fetched is not None and fetched.inspection_date > stored.inspection_date:
+    if fetched is None:
+        return stored, False
+    if stored is None:
+        return fetched, True
+    if fetched.inspection_date > stored.inspection_date:
         return fetched, True
     return stored, False