diff --git a/pyxis/create_container_image.py b/pyxis/create_container_image.py
index 5306d50..c990e49 100755
--- a/pyxis/create_container_image.py
+++ b/pyxis/create_container_image.py
@@ -370,9 +370,9 @@ def main():  # pragma: no cover
 
     # First check if it exists at all
     image = image_already_exists(args, args.architecture_digest, repository=None)
-    identifier = image["_id"]
     if image:
         # Then, check if it exists in association with the given repository
+        identifier = image["_id"]
         if image_already_exists(args, args.architecture_digest, repository=args.name):
             LOGGER.info(
                 f"Image with given docker_image_digest already exists as {identifier} "