diff --git a/program/serializers.py b/program/serializers.py
index fbbe045a8396bba378877557800a2a91f86fcc58..97b8e61c551a425306724d27efe53edbb6d856db 100644
--- a/program/serializers.py
+++ b/program/serializers.py
@@ -1023,10 +1023,9 @@ class NoteSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
         a show.
         """
 
-        show = validated_data["timeslot"].schedule.show
         user = self.context.get("request").user
         user_is_privileged = user.groups.filter(name=settings.PRIVILEGED_GROUP).exists()
-        user_is_owner = user in show.owners
+        user_is_owner = user in instance.timeslot.schedule.show.owners
 
         # Only privileged users and owners of a show are allowed to update a note
         # Being a privileged user overrides the ownership
@@ -1050,7 +1049,7 @@ class NoteSerializer(serializers.ModelSerializer):
             instance.language.set(language)
 
         # Only update this field if the user is privileged, ignore otherwise
-        if topic := validated_data.get("topic") and user_is_privileged:
+        if (topic := validated_data.get("topic")) and user_is_privileged:
             instance.topic.set(topic)
 
         if cba_id := validated_data.get("cba_id"):