diff --git a/data/model/repository.py b/data/model/repository.py
index 6709b3f09..46de62bf7 100644
--- a/data/model/repository.py
+++ b/data/model/repository.py
@@ -54,7 +54,10 @@ def purge_repository(namespace_name, repository_name):
       not need to be checked or responded to.
       """
 
-  repo = _basequery.get_existing_repository(namespace_name, repository_name)
+  try:
+    repo = _basequery.get_existing_repository(namespace_name, repository_name)
+  except Repository.DoesNotExist:
+    return False
 
   # Delete all tags to allow gc to reclaim storage
   previously_referenced = tag.purge_all_tags(repo)
@@ -74,7 +77,11 @@ def purge_repository(namespace_name, repository_name):
     return False
 
   # Delete the rest of the repository metadata
-  fetched = _basequery.get_existing_repository(namespace_name, repository_name)
+  try:
+    fetched = _basequery.get_existing_repository(namespace_name, repository_name)
+  except Repository.DoesNotExist:
+    return False
+
   fetched.delete_instance(recursive=True, delete_nullable=False)
 
   return True