diff --git a/castellum/appointments/signals.py b/castellum/appointments/signals.py
index a536c263c23a2291e2679b8334bd535c4b7006ad..5ced613850cbf30d313fc6d5137c38c6f9e31c93 100644
--- a/castellum/appointments/signals.py
+++ b/castellum/appointments/signals.py
@@ -45,4 +45,7 @@ def delete_scheduler_appointments_on_save(sender, instance, using, **kwargs):
     from castellum.recruitment.models import Participation
 
     if sender is Participation and instance.status != Participation.INVITED:
+        # PERF: ignore if instance has not been saved to the database yet
+        if not instance.pk:
+            return
         delete_scheduler_appointments_on_delete(sender, instance, using, **kwargs)