diff --git a/packages/backend/src/registry.ts b/packages/backend/src/registry.ts
index 03ef08aa..43d9c988 100644
--- a/packages/backend/src/registry.ts
+++ b/packages/backend/src/registry.ts
@@ -324,7 +324,9 @@ export class Registry {
         paymentAddress: auctionWinner,
       });
 
-      const newRecords = records.filter(record => record.names !== null);
+      const newRecords = records.filter(record => {
+        return record.names !== null && record.names.length > 0;
+      });
 
       for (const record of newRecords) {
         if (record.id) {
diff --git a/packages/backend/src/service.ts b/packages/backend/src/service.ts
index 98f19476..b142ad67 100644
--- a/packages/backend/src/service.ts
+++ b/packages/backend/src/service.ts
@@ -1391,10 +1391,12 @@ export class Service {
       amountToBeReturned = totalAuctionPrice;
     }
 
-    await this.laconicRegistry.sendTokensToAccount(
-      project.paymentAddress,
-      amountToBeReturned.toString()
-    );
+    if (amountToBeReturned !== 0) {
+      await this.laconicRegistry.sendTokensToAccount(
+        project.paymentAddress,
+        amountToBeReturned.toString()
+      );
+    }
   }
 
   async getDeployers(): Promise<Deployer[]> {